Star Wars: Ahri Elysar

by GuardianXAngel

In times of duress and darkness, the galaxy looks to the great knights to lead them. Ahri...isn't one of them. However, as the darkness closes in he has to do his part or find that everything he holds dear will be lost. Follow his path from the Clone Wars and beyond as he lives his life and confronts life's challenges. Story is considered M for what I plan to do in future chapters.

1. Episode 1: Chapter 1

Revised: 5/28/17

Updated last: 3/3/12

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars! The only thing I own is Ahri Elysar and any random characters that I add. I am not making any money off of this.

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Also you may recognize some of my quotes may be from other books. I do not own them.

POV: Ahri Elysar (story overall is centered on Ahri) and begins in 27 B.B.Y. (five years before the Clone Wars, and five year after Episode 1).

Also the only two people that will have their speech italicized will be Jedi Master Fay and another character that you will meet in a later chapter.

A/N: Mild Language. Rated T to be safe. Chapter five it will change to rating M.

A/N #2: Each "episode" will have a short narrative at the beginning (bolded and italicized) that will let the readers first of all understand the state of the galaxy at that time. The last part of the narrative will deal with the current chapter's purpose.

The narrative will be altered slightly to emphasize the main point of the chapter with some parts of it staying the same until the Episode is over. There could be multiple chapters in one episode, or just one chapter.

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Episode 1:Chapter1 Period of Uneasiness

Stagnation! After a thousand years of prosperity, the Republic is beginning to crumble from within. Corruption and crime spread and even the vaunted protectors of the Republic, the Jedi aren't able to stop it all.

To make matters worse, the power of the Dark Side grows while the strength of the Jedi wane. Five years ago Darth Maul was killed by Jedi Knight Obi-Wan Kenobi. Though one Sith is dead, there is still the elusive Master on the loose. With their efforts divided between the increasing power of the Sith and the critical condition that the Republic is in no progress is made in solving either problem.

Life goes on though for the denizens of the Republic, unaware of the impending troubles that await the galaxy in the coming years.

Above the Republic capital of Coruscant, a fleet of warships arrives back into civilized space for the first time in years…

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On a clear morning in the capital city known for its power as the center of the Republic, a fleet of Republic warships twenty-four to be exact, including one MedStar Medical Frigate and a Republic command ship appeared at the edge of the system. It was one that ship that a fourteen-year-old Miraluka boy named Ahri Elysar stood to watch on the bridge of the command ship and couldn't help but marvel at the enormity of the city of Coruscant. The planet was an ecumenopolis which meant the entire world was the city itself. And the city was kilometers deep; there were areas of the planet that hadn't seen sunlight since the formation of the Republic almost 24,000 years ago.

"Take a good look son, it's an environmental disaster, but it is home to billions of sentient beings from around the galaxy," said Admiral Jens Starwind who came to stand beside Ahri."

I looked at the planet which at the moment was illuminated by the sun making it look like a black hole wreathed in flames. It was morning on Coruscant, but for some, it was evening because no matter what time it was somebody was up doing something somewhere. Hard to believe that the sunrise made Coruscant look so breathtaking hid the layers and layers of corruption that had been seeded by the Ruusan Reformation, which was meant to save the Republic one thousand years ago.

"How can anyone live in such conditions Admiral?"

"A constant supply of food and supplies is brought in daily, without it the people would have to abandon the planet," replied Admiral, Starwind.

Admiral Starwind was forty-five years old and one of the youngest admirals in the Republic Navy. The father of two, he had gravitated toward Ahri as a surrogate father because of Ahri's youth and vulnerability. He commanded the Republic Exploration Force from the Aleturan. Around it was an assortment of twenty-five cruisers, carriers, frigates, and corvettes. All had battle scarring, and all looked like they had seen better days.

"Admiral!" Shouted the communications officer, "a Republic security station is hailing us, they request we send over our clearance codes."

"Send over our clearance codes, contact High Command, and prep for final descent." Replied Admiral Starwind.

"Aye Sir!" Replied the ensign.

"Ahri, you stowed away on the expedition, and since then you gave up your chance of being a Jedi why don't you enlist in the military… formally that is."

"I didn't give up my dream my goal in life; I said panicking. I just wanted to see the galaxy! Rhen Var was too isolated there was nothing to see nothing to do! You don't think they will deny me the chance to become a Jedi will they? It is all I know!"

"I don't know. You did leave which means the Council could have very well stricken your name from the records."

"Being a Jedi is all I know sir?" By now I was close to tears, I hadn't given thought to the idea that I wouldn't be allowed to become a Knight anymore.

"Hey, hey come here."

I walked over to him, and he hugged me, "everything will be all right everything will be alright."

We stayed in position for a little while before Admiral Starwind was called away by the OOD (Officer on Deck).

"Ahri have you packed your bags yet?" Asked Admiral Starwind.

"Not yet sir," I replied,

"Then you'd better get packing.", With that Admiral, Starwind went to the OOD.

I left the bridge and went to my room. My room was in the officers' quarters of the command ship because of my ability to control the force, and I suspected it was also because the deck was near the hospital floor, though I had no proof of that. I used the power to allow me to comprehend lots of information at one time so that I wouldn't become a burden. I may not have been able to influence the battle directly, but my tactical and strategic skills were coming along as Admiral Starwind said. Of course using the force that way for such a long time tended to give me a massive migraine, which would explain why I kept an industrial grade bottle of pain relievers by my bed and a smaller bottle in my pocket which I had to "borrow" from the Med Center.

Of course, this is a relatively recent development. For the past two years or so I have had to get permission to take a pain reliever. It seems that the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the Vigilance agreed with the CMO on the Resolute and convinced the Admiral to put me on suicide watch. Said I was overly depressed, and becoming addicted to the pain relievers… ridiculous really. I had no intention of ODing

As the door opened to my quarters, I looked around my room for what would be the last time. To my right was the bookshelf holding all my holo discs of military and nonmilitary matters. Below them, one shelf down was my most prized possession, a Jedi Holocron, which I had found in a hidden room in an abandoned temple that if I had to guess was from the Great War three thousand years ago. The Holocron in addition to its normal function of storing information doubled as a receiver of sorts. I didn't understand the technical stuff, but in layman's terms it could access the information of any holocrons around it and add the knowledge to its repository of knowledge.

Of course, you had to specify which Holocron you wanted to access and I wanted nothing to do with the four Sith holocrons that I found. I concluded that the hard way, I had the Holocron incorporate all the information from the other holocrons that I had found and when finished I tried accessing it. I quickly concluded that the Holocron was thus tainted by the information from the Sith Holocrons. I was forced to purge all the information that I had just added for security measure. Afterwards, I specified that I wanted only the seven Jedi holocrons to be assimilated. The Sith Holocrons made me sick to my stomach which is why they were packed up, and I had them locked in the ships safety box for safe keeping. In all, I had found twelve holocrons, eight Jedi and four Sith holocrons, including my Holocron.

Right in front of the bookshelf was my bed. Next to the bed was my nightstand and inside of it was the lightsaber that I had found in the temple. After using the weapons for three years I still felt uneasy using something that didn't belong to me. They just didn't feel right for me. I knew that I would have to give them up once I arrived at the Temple so I took out the crystals, which made it useless and saved them for when I would create my lightsaber.

Right in front of me was my clothing drawers and to my left was the bathroom. I gathered all my belongings; clothing, holocrons and holo discs, armor (standard Republic armor), which for me was the scout armor. Part synthetic weave, part leather, small bits of durasteel to provide minimum protection while maximizing speed and silence. My weapons consisted of my lightsaber, an assortment of cryogenic and sonic grenades, and a heavy duty blaster.

Before I left, I looked at myself in the mirror one last time. I dropped my duffle bag and backpack on the floor and focused in on myself. I saw, a 5'6 boy wearing standard Miraluka clothing which consisted of a veil with no eye holes that covered my head from Ear up and ended at my nose. The veil was like the rest of my robes (including the hood) white with yellow trim. On my back where all my worldly possessions. But what made me uneasy weren't my physical features or clothing it was my aura. For the past few years, I avoided looking in any mirror. I was afraid of what I would see, and I still didn't want to see how I looked. My aura had a sickly feel to it, and I could see signs that it was affecting my physical health. I turned away quickly and picked up my stuff. I was carrying two things, my duffle bag which contained all items related to the Jedi Order, and my backpack which had everything else. The eleven holocrons would come in two packages to the Temple.

My time here had ended, and I couldn't help but feel sad, I sighed time to face the music, everything will change everything will change.

I left my quarters and presided to the hanger bay where I took a shuttle to the Republic base. But before I left I said my goodbyes to my friends that I made. Just as I was about to enter Admiral Starwind gave me one last piece of advice, "Remember Ahri not to lose yourself, to keep to your morals and values they will be your guiding light when all else fails you."

"I won't let you down, Sir."

"No…do not let yourself down…goodbye." He saluted me which I returned and then swiftly boarded the transport trying hard to have a panic attack at having to leave my home for the past five years.

From there I signed out and relinquished my blaster and grenades then took an air taxi to the entrance of the Jedi temple. I got out paid the cab driver and looked around, and as soon as I did, I was awestricken by the enormity of the temple. With all its statues and its mere atmosphere took the breath out of me.

It was my first time seeing the Temple, the one on Rhen Var was nothing like this. The Temple on Rhen Var. The Sanctuary on Rhen Var was a huge circle with a smaller circle on top. The capstones were four massive pylons that jutted out of the circle and slanted inwards. Around the Sanctuary were four towers. The Sanctuary was built in a small valley, and that had only one way in that I knew of. By the entrance/exit, there was a landing pad and a supply depot. Overall the sanctuary was dreary and gray, so very gray. There was a sense of solemnness tinged with sadness. I could just taste it, and it was that strong. Being cooped up for so long inside one building was making me crazy I had to leave; I just had to see something other than ice, snow, and permacrete.

Anxious, and on edge I climbed up the steps to the main entrance and admired the four gigantic statues of what I assumed was ancient Jedi Masters, possibly the founders I suppose. I wandered up to some Jedi milling around near the pillars, and before I could say anything, I was detained by the Gate Master.

"Are you lost son? Asked the Gate Master.

"I was wondering if you could show me the way to the High Council."

"And what is the nature of your business that requires the attention of the High Council?"

"My name is Ahri Elysar. I need to talk to the High Council right away."

"Well, Ahri I am sure that another Jedi can help you. Why don't you tell me what it is that you are here for?"

"I am here to continue my training." At that, I shrugged off my backpack and took out my lightsaber. "I left with the Republic Expedition fleet a few years ago and had just returned."

You're the Initiate that went missing from the Rhen Var training academy five years ago!"

"You are correct Master. I have just returned from the Republic Exploration Expedition this afternoon and need to see the High Council so that I know what to do. If you could point me in the right direction, I would be most appreciative."

"I'll get you a guide and let the High Council know that you are on the way."

The Gate Master looked for a person to help him when he saw a young female Padawan just exiting the area.

"Padawan Swan!"

"Yes Master Antilles!"

"Please guide initiate Starwind to the High Council Chambers right away."

"Yes, Master Antilles."

So I followed Padawan Swan through the temple, and I could feel her 'gaze,' her Force presence upon me the whole time. Eventually, I decided to ask her some questions, if only to stop the incessant probing.

"Hi! My name is Ahri Elysar. What is your name?"

"Pleasure to meet you Ahri, my name is Bultar Swan. I am the Padawan learner apprenticed to Jedi Master Plo Koon, who is currently a member of the High Jedi Council. I was listening in on your conversation with the Gatekeeper, and I was wondering if you would be willing to share some of your experiences."

I looked forward and then back to her, feeling a migraine coming on. A chatterbox this one is.

"Just happening to be listening in?"

"Please!"

"Try not to yell," I said sharply

She gave me a hurt look, "sorry."

Despite her voice being like splinters in my mind, I didn't want to cause any unnecessary waves. No matter, I would use her a sounding board for what I would tell the Council in a few minutes. "Alright, what did you want to know?"

"What was it like in the Wild Space of the Galaxy? Why did you leave your home in Rhen Var? And why are you not dressed in traditional Jedi Fashion?"

"To answer your question, I'd have to say the Wild Space region was awe-inspiring. I got to see so many new planets, some were friendly, while others were dangerous. You know carnivorous beasts, planets, and creatures seeped in the Dark side of the Force, and then we came upon a culture that seemed to use organic material for all sorts of things; they even used it to go into space!"

I stopped to look at a large crystal floating on a pilaster. It was radiating pure light. I took a step closer and it pulsed and I recoiled and took a step back. I doubled over and felt like hurling. Sith's Blood what was that!

"Ahri! Are you okay? Ahri!" Bultar's voice seemed to come from far away. Like I heard it from underwater. "Stay calm!" I'll call for a healer."

I snapped out of it. "No healer," I said my voice like frost. "I mean, I have been feeling poorly lately, I think it is just the stress and anxiety of my return getting to me. There is no need for a healer."

She looked closely at me. "If it happens again I call the healers."

"Thanks but I will be okay." Lie, I haven't been okay for years, not since she died and even now my head still feels like it wants to split me in two. I wanted to take out a pill to relieve it, but if I did so, that would lead to new questions. Questions I didn't want to answer at all costs.

"To answer your next question I left Rhen Var by way of the military base that was nearby. It was the staging point for the exploration fleet. When I found out I knew that it would be a once in a lifetime chance to explore the galaxy. I don't regret going, though I do regret not being able to tell my Masters. But they would have stopped me from going."

Ding!

I looked around, like really looked around. The sound announced the arrival of elevator and Bultar was already getting in it. "Where does the elevator go?"

"To the hallway where the spire of the Jedi Council meets, this is the only elevator that does that. All other elevators you have to change two to four times depending on your location."

"Sound screwy to me."

She scowled at me. "It's the way it is. Deal with it."

I raised an eyebrow at her, not that she would see it, veil and all.

"To answer your final question, when you disappear for five years you tend to grow. I usually wore some Republic armor, but that was only in combat zones. I usually wore a Republic uniform since I had long since grown out of my robes, but before returning to Coruscant, we stopped by my home planet of Alpheridies in The Veil Nebula which was in an isolated section of the galaxy far from any hyperspace routes. I then picked up some traditional Miraluka clothing which consisted of a veil, some matching robes of course, and some sturdy boots. In my studies, I found out that not all Jedi wore the traditional robes. Many wore variations of them; I know that many of my species wore robes that suited to their personality. But that was a long time ago."

"No more questions, please no more questions."

"You mentioned the veil, and I see you are wearing one without any eye holes. How do you see, and why do your people wear veils?"

Damn.

"Our people wear the veil to hide our lack of eyes. We are known as the blind culture because of this. It is a trait our population has because of the location of our planet near a red dwarf. It is considered a moral issue to keep our eyes covered in public at all times. I even saw some people wear full-length veils, imagine that! I or rather we see through the force at all times. The ability that we use to see is known as Force Sight. It is possible to teach all who are touched by the Force this technique. It shows us the Force in its entirety."

"We're here! Thank you for answering all my questions Ahri. I hope the council allows you to become a Jedi."

"Wait! Where do I go from here?"

"See that entrance right there?"

I looked over and saw a corridor that went further into the Temple.

"I do."

Continue walking until you see an elevator on your right-hand side. That will take you to the High Council Spire and the High Council.

"Thanks, Bultar! See you after the meeting!" I didn't see that happening anytime soon; she was just too chipper.

"She waved and took the elevator back down, to the main entrance I assumed.

I started walking, and I walked and walked and walked. As I walked, I felt dizzier. I let my back touch the wall and rested my head. The room was starting to spin, and I felt off-kilter. I took out a pain pill extra strength and a bottle of water. I looked around to see if anyone was near me and then quickly popped it into my mouth. The medicine took a few minutes to kick in and by that I mean thirty minutes. Of course, I didn't have thirty minutes I had minutes. So…crap.

I guess I have no choice but to continue walking. Hopefully, it will take a while to find the elevator. I took five steps and lookie there the elevator. Goody.

I hit the call button and waited. In fact, I waited three minutes, which meant I had at least three more minutes before I would hit the Council Chambers. If I feigned awe, I could extend it another minute, two if I fidgeted enough in preparation. Because heck anyone would be nervous if they knew that their fate as Jedi would be decided by twelve old and conservative Jedi.

I stepped into the elevator, and it took three minutes to reach the Council Chambers. I waited exactly a minute and a half before ringing the doorbell. Of course, I strolled towards the door at the end of the relatively long corridor.

"Ahri Elysar you may enter," said one of the Council members.

I winced internally, no rank that wasn't a good sign.

I walked in, and the first thing I saw was twelve beings arrayed in a half circle all looking in one direction, towards me. I stifled an urge to take a step back and was grateful that my veil hid most of my face.

I bowed and then assumed a parade rest position and then waited. I had to put up with an increase in pressure in my cranium, the medicine hasn't kicked in yet, and the tension wasn't helping me at all. They were the flipping Council after all they had perfected the art of getting information out of people. All I could do was wait respectfully for a master to speak.

"Why choose now to come hum? Master Yoda am I. Grandmaster of the Jedi Order am I."

I gave a respectful bow. "I would have come sooner if the Exploration Fleet had returned earlier than it did."

"Give up being a Jedi you did. Why should we let you back in, hum?"

"I did not give up being a Jedi. I chose to go on a once in a lifetime trip deep in the Wild Space region. I am sorry for worrying you; I knew that you would stop me from going if I told you."

"We received a lot of grief for you. The holonet had a field day over the fact that we lost a child! Said Master Windu."

"So it's a political issue more than an internal matter?" I shrugged. There was murmuring from the other ten members, not happy murmurs. Keep your mouth in check Ahri. "It was a once in a lifetime experience."

"What do you mean, asked Master Windu?"

I thought about how to answer that question, and the more I thought about it, the more I thought back over what had happened."

Flashback

"How are you doing Kiddo?"

"Cut that out! I am NOT a kid." I tried to make myself a big as possible which only made me look even sillier.

Amelia took one look and laughed.

"Humph." And I ceased my efforts.

Staff Sergeant Amelia Serrano had been assigned to watch over me by Captain Gregory's XO who had not been pleased to find a stowaway and a Jedi Youngling at that on his dreadnaught. First, he dressed me down, and then he informed the Captain of the situation. Next thing I know I was then put to work doing odd jobs.

The work was tedious boring even; my first job was backbreaking manual labor. For an adult that wouldn't be so bad, but I was nine for peat's sake! Each box weighed at least 50 pounds, and by the third one I was sweating, and my arms were trembling. I asked quartermaster for a break, and he just gave me that look. It wasn't until I dropped a container of Tibbana gas and the containment alarms began to ring throughout the ship because of the contamination leak was I sent elsewhere.

Of course, the quartermaster and the XO dressed me down; but were forced to concede to my statement that I was nine, and had no muscle mass or conditioning to speak of decided. So they choose to send me elsewhere so to minimize the damage. So I got sent to the Chief Medical Officer, where I was sent originally after being exposed to Tibbana gas to be a file clerk. If there's one thing worse than backbreaking manual labor, then it's filing. Who cares that some sergeant had one kidney, who cares that a particular officer on the engineering deck had an addiction to spice and now that we were the middle of nowhere he was going through withdrawal.

Unlike the manual labor that I had to do which lasted all of two hours, I was stuck being the personal secretary of the CMO for two months. Two incredibly tedious tasks, I admit that I fell back on my mischievous ways. Samuel Cecilia and I well known for being the three musketeers at the temple on Rhen Var, well without Ceci's brains I got caught. When I tried to do was put hot sauce in the soup the men were going to eat that day.

I was taken to the captain this time, and he dressed me down, but again I had to remind the idiots for the third time in two months that I was nine. If you want me to behave, find something I like and want to do.

Then came the reflexive question of what do you want to do which I had no answer. When the Captain realized that he scowled deeply at me. "You will be assigned to act as my cabin boy, and you will do as I say when I want you to do it. Furthermore, you will also work in the kitchen, and I warn you that if anything happens to the food while you're in there or after you leave don't worry about what I will do but what all the men and women will do when they find out that their food has been tampered with." What an angry man.

It was in the mess hall that I met Amelia.

"So you're the stowaway, what the blazes are you doing here?"

I gave her a crooked grin, "I'm the new mascot, and if you feed me, I'll do a trick."

"A wise guy huh? You got a name with that smart mouth of yours?"

"Ahri, Ahri Elysar. What's yours?"

"Staff Sgt. Amelia Serrano... so you are my new ward."

"So…who you did piss off to be assigned to me?"

"No one, I volunteered."

I gave her a look.

"Don't look at me that way, I have two younger siblings at home, I know how to handle one nine years old. So whether you like it or not we're stuck together."

"Yes, Sir!" I saluted and ran off.

As I was running off I heard "Impudent Brat!" and I smiled.

Three months later I was allowed on the bridge provided I didn't talk and cause any trouble.

It was now nine months into the voyage, and we had already encountered the blue skinned, red eyed culture.

"May we join you?"

I looked up from my datapad that I was reading to see Amelia in full combat gear along with some of her squad mates. "Do I you have to answer that?" I asked.

"Just giving you some ribbing, I assume you have been following the encounters with the unknown civilization?"

"Yeah, this pretty much throws out the UAE (Unknown Alien Encounters Orders)."

"I know my unit is being sent down to reconnoiter an unknown planet. We assume hostiles are present."

"We'll be careful; I don't want you coming back in a body bag."

"Relax we'll be fine."

"I'll keep an eye out from observation deck."

She stood up to head out. "See ya kid."

"Bye."

Three hours later she was dead, and I was in the hospital wing in a coma that wouldn't end for three weeks. The CMO told the Captain that I would most likely not remember what happened and that we should treat him carefully, he could be traumatized. I of course nodded and pretended to have no knowledge of what took place when I asked. But the truth is I remember everything. I remember using the Force to "shadow" Amelia. Now I didn't follow following her; I was using the Force to "piggyback" on her signature. You see every person in the galaxy leaves a ripple or mark on it. Each mark is unique, focus in on that mark, and you can trail them. Another way of looking at it is the contrails of star-liners in the atmosphere. You see the contrails they leave and can track them and even follow them to the liner itself. So what I did was use her presence in the Force to anchor me to her. The side effect was that everything she felt I felt. The panic, the fear, the determination, the pain, and then the cold numbing sensation you get when you know you are dying; I felt it all. It was at this point that I began screaming my head off. I screamed so much and so load it apparently freaked out everyone around me. They said my scream sounded like the shriek damned being cast into Chaos. That the hairs on the back of their neck stood on end, and they finally had to drug me to sleep just to terminate the wail of the damned.

I woke with a blistering headache, I was nauseous, and my vision which should have been crystal clear in the Force was alternating between "normal" for the average person in the galaxy saw and how Miraluka sees the universe. My ability to use the Force had been diminished. It was a terrifying experience.

Eventually, the headache subsided after about a day, but I noticed to my growing unease that when I tried to use the Force again that the migraine returned. The more that I used the Force, the more pain I had to endure. I was now beginning to feel a little panicky. No Force means no becoming a Knight, and that wasn't acceptable. That was when I had the brilliant idea to take pain relievers, and while I had no idea how long the symptoms would last, I was prepared to take the pain relievers for as long as it was needed. After all, I could stop whenever I wanted.

The painkillers did the trick, and with them, I could use the Force longer, though I found that the longer I used them, the less effective they became. So I had to take them more and more before a headache would dissipate.

At first, I was able to get the pain relievers easily, but as time passed, I had to steal them. And of course, when the CMO found out she put me on suicide watch and alerted the Captain who must have talked to the guy in charge of the fleet. One Admiral Starwind, who elected to transfer me to his command ship the Vigilance where he could get to know me…., it would be fair that I do earn my commission as an ensign of the Republic Navy. Of course, I got it only because after the "incident" and because Admiral Starwind had taken a liking to me and wanted to keep a close eye on me. Don't know what he saw in me…but he took a shining to me.

*End of flashback

"Initiate…Initiate Elysar. Are you okay? Initiate?"

"What? Oh…yes, Master Windu, to answer your question it was a chance to see new planets explore, to do new things, I saw worlds that the Dark Side was strong in them and planets strong in the Light Side, planets that had fauna never before seen. It was interesting, though when I mean see I mean to review the after action reports and holograms. I typically just watched shuttles go ground side and only once did I get the chance to go planet side.

Flashback

Originally I wasn't even supposed to be going, being too young, and under suicide watch, but when I woke up that day and felt a call, unlike anything I had ever felt before. I knew that I had to go, I begged Admiral Starwind not only to authorize a mission but to allow me to go planet side.

He told me that he wasn't planning to explore the planet but bypass it altogether. I told him about the call and asked him to scan the planet for anything unusual ground side. He agreed reluctantly but said that I was to lead the scanning units. He had an officer show me to CIC for what would be the second I had ever been there and this time I was given a quick rundown on the stations in the room. The officer told me how to set up and direct the scanning of the planet correctly and what patterns work for different scenarios. Then after showing me what to do he let me give the orders, with him telling me what to say.

I asked the officer if I could join the task group consisting of three warships when they went into orbit. When he asked why I told him it was my Operation so I should lead it.

He looked at me carefully, nodded and told me to report to the hanger deck where a shuttle would be waiting to take me to the Salient.

The Hammer and Anvil both frigates moved into orbit with the Salient a dreadnaught acting as the lead ship, for the task group. From its position, the Salient was to receive the telemetry data from the two frigates and the accompanying transports and fighters specifically prepared to scan the planet. At first, it appeared the planet was clean nothing on it, but sixteen hours and thirty-seven minutes in, an anomaly was recorded. It was logged, and when the planet was fully scanned, I asked for permission to lead a squad of troop's ground side. The Captain laughed at me and told me that I was too young to inexperience and that I would just get in the way. But I was told that I could accompany a squad but not lead it. I was too young, too inexperienced to lead men even for a reconnaissance mission.

So I rushed to my room and got into gear as quickly as I could and reported in. It was an odd sight, by the time I was to go planet side I had outgrown the majority of my clothes including my robes. So I was dressed in clothing that was five to six sizes too small. That meant I needed new clothes, but this was a military vessel intended for adults, not children. So any clothing they had would have to be custom tailored. The Quartermaster made it clear that I would be the one to do the tailoring. He would show me how the first time but after that, it was up to me. I found out very quickly that I hated having to sew. My threads broke; the needle kept drawing blood often enough that there were pinpricks that traveled in a line across the fabric, and the sewing was crooked, hardly fit for the military. Which random officers would point out at any given moment and I would be expected to fix ASAP. Having to do my sewing sucked and made me realize that I didn't want to grow anymore.

The Sergeant in command of the recon squad must have taken offense that he was going ground side on the orders of a child and so gave me a stern glare and a lecture not to do anything funny, or he would have me scrubbing toilets for weeks if I was lucky.

We landed in the front of a temple complex. It was clearly of Jedi origins, but what it was doing way out here in the middle of nowhere we had no idea. The database had revealed nothing except that it was a dark world shrouded in perpetual twilight.

The squad entered the compound to find a large garden that served as a meeting place. The floor was solid as a rock and had a weird symbol on it. We ignored it and moved on to the nearest corridor. The soldiers wanted to know what was in the Temple more than what the Temple was doing here, though I wanted to know both.

While the squad secured the area and the team fanning out, I followed the men as they opened doors and acted like something was going to attack them at any minute. We saw beds that had remnants of sheets on them and a pantry that was picked clean. There were pictures of Jedi and the Republic as murals and as we explored I recorded everything and took the occasional photo.

What I was anxious to get to was the Archives, there had to be something. So I slipped away from the crotchety sergeant and followed my gut. Where it would lead me, I had no idea, but I had a feeling it would be the Library.

I stopped at a massive archway and looked around. There was a balcony with a stairwell leading to it to my right, behind me was the way to the main entrance, and behind me was a long passageway that I hadn't explored yet. The Library had no visible lock, and I was loath to force my way in. I looked around for something that could open it. I searched the door even going so far as to try brute force to push my way in, deciding that I had no other choice. In the end, I found a lock of some kind. It was odd; it had no buttons to be pressed though it looked like it could be manipulated. I hadn't the faintest idea how though. I heard hurried footsteps from behind and saw Sergeant Crotchety and his men hurrying towards me.

"Do you have poodo for brains? I told you to obey all my commands. What do you think you are doing?"

"I am trying to figure out how to get in without destroying the door. I believe I have found the Temple Archives and I am at a loss as to how to get in any suggestions?"

"Ahgh! Wilkes, Sam bring out the explosives! We're going blow the door down1."

"If you do that you could damage the library!"

"Don't worry the explosives will be shaped; we just need to get to safety."

"Provided that the explosion doesn't cause the roof to collapse."

"Shut up brat! Who asked you?"

The charges were placed, and we retreated to the balcony before Wilkes detonated the charges. There were a flash and a muted bang. When the smoke cleared, the door was, for the most part, untouched. Except for a small hole the size of a child.

"Strong door I remarked, good job with the explosives now we have a way in."

"Yeah, but it is too small."

"Not for me, I'll go through and explore, I should be in there long."

"No way! I lead this squad, and it is too dangerous for someone your age. Wilkes bring out some more explosives."

"If you failed to break the door down in one go a second go won't work. Besides just because the planet appears deserted doesn't mean it is. We have most likely attracted attention. Having to set up the charges around the hole will take more time than we may have."

"…Alright but don't linger okay."

"Roger."

"Get in there."

I tossed my backpack in and followed it inside. I looked around and came to the conclusion that the Temple had been evacuated in a hurry and then forgotten. Now in small academia's the library is typically the heart. For a Temple, it would be the archives and the central meditation chamber. This temple was no exception. To see it in such disrepair meant that something had happened to make it this way. The exterior of the Temple had little damage which meant that there wasn't an attack, but the holodisks and books scattered around meant that the Temple had been cleaned out in a hurry. Maybe an evacuation…but for what? Planetary weather shift, a danger of imminent attack, no answers came to mind.

There were scraps of paper so fragile that when I touched one, it crumbled into dust. I gathered the holodisks and books and put them in two separate stacks to be transported to the fleet. Finding everything I could I looked around before I spotted something unusual. A wall that had a unique pattern on it, almost like somebody had tried and failed to blow it open.

I concentrated on the Force and just opened the door, not quite sure how but it worked, and I wasn't complaining. I went inside and found a dozen holocrons of various sizes. What was unusual though was that four of the holocrons were Sith holocrons, which was very odd. Especially the Sith holocrons to be side by side with the Jedi holocrons.

I wouldn't believe that the Chief Archivist of the Temple would have been that careless. Maybe this was a hidden vault, and the Jedi had no time but to put them in there. The scorch marks though were a mystery. The Temple was intact, no skeletons to be found. What could have happened?

I sat leaned against the vault to think. I looked at the scorch marks, and then it hit me. They were the same pattern as of an explosive. Somebody tried to steal what was inside, whatever was inside was their primary objective, and I now had it in my possession.

But which of the holocrons was the prize they were after, assuming the vault only held holocrons. I reexamined the vault more closely. Looking for more hidden cracks or doorways I searched high and low, but my investigation bore no fruit. I looked at my watch; ten minutes had passed. It was time to leave. Ten minutes of tension as precious time slipped by.

As I was leaving, I found in a corner tucked away a lightsaber. It looked old but was in relatively good condition. When I tried it out, it gave a hum as the silence broke due to the noise. The yellow blade illuminated the room slightly, and with the light from my blaster, I could see well…

"Lied you did about why you left, tell us the reason you will. Said Master Yoda."

End Flashback

"Wait for what; I said snapping back to present time."

"Tell us the truth you will," said Master Yoda.

"First of all, I didn't lie I just never put any real thought into why I left. You know what I am, and how I see. This world vibrates with life." My voice showed clear anxiety. I had come so far; I didn't want to be kicked out before becoming a Knight. "I left to see the galaxy. I left to get out of my prison that was the Temple on Rhen Var…

"We never mistreated you," said an angry Council Member.

"Alright I will concede that point, but you kept us, and I meant us in the broad sense in the dark. You taught what you wanted us to know; we thought the way you did."

"A good analogy of this is like the story where three people stare at the back of a cave, and the shadows produced by the sun and moon provide all the life they know. One day a person decides to turn around and sees the beauty of the world. But most importantly he understands the world is a lot bigger than they first realized. He tries to convince the others, but they ignore him. So he decides to go back to staring at the back of the cave. But he can't; he knows the life he once had was a lie."

"So you did leave the Order," said Master Windu.

"No, I just wanted to avoid being a carbon copy of previous generations. I asked myself three months before I left the temple why the Jedi took only children and not wait until they were adults. I realized after some thinking and delving into my studies that the Order was afraid to take adults. It was easier to take children instead…."

"Afraid not we are, explain you will, said Master Yoda."

"It is simple really; if you took an adult, you wouldn't have been able to know who he/she was before they took the oath. They would be a wild card. By taking children, you can mold them the way you want without as much fear of "corruption" from the outside world. Then when they finally leave the nest, they think the way you want them to, act the way you want them to, and say what you want them to say. You are afraid of me and what I have experienced. I am a wild card. And the real issue isn't whether or not I left the Order but whether I am a threat to what you are trying to do."

"…Does that answer your question Master Yoda?"

All I got was silence I return.

"One last question Initiate, how did you escape the Rhen Var Temple and what was the deciding factor into leaving?"

"Well, it began like this Master Jedi…"

*flashback*

"Did you hear Ahri; three dreadnaughts are leaving from the nearby base to join up with an expeditionary force to explore the galaxy!"

"I don't recall Cecilia; I think you might have mentioned it every day for the past two weeks?"

Samuel and I shared a good laugh.

"Oh go ahead and laugh fuzz ball, at least some people pay attention to local news."

"What's the point, Ceci? We have you to tell us."

Cecilia made a face and stuck her tongue at me. I just laughed again; I loved Cecilia…and Samuel to be fair.

Cecilia and Samuel were my two best friends in the Temple. We were the three musketeers, and we got into trouble quite frequently. Cecelia was the brains, Samuel, the leader, and I was the on the spot tactician. Together there was little we couldn't do.

"So how about we see the Expedition off, I suggested." This was my chance to break the mold, not to be a copy of previous generations of Jedi. Ever since I read about Kerra Holt and her one-person journey though Sith Space, I wanted to be just like her. I had been plotting for weeks but hadn't found a way off the planet until now. I wasn't going to let that chance get away, even if it meant lying to my best friends to get it.

"I don't know we could get in a lot of trouble said, Samuel."

"You say that all the time I replied."

"Haven't you learned from that prank we pulled on Master Daoi two weeks ago? We are still grounded!"

"Then we shouldn't get caught."

"Alright, but we need to do this quick, Ahri this is your op create the plan."

"We do it tonight, so we need to borrow a mode of transportation and then get to the base."

"Tonight, we are so dead," moaned Samuel.

"Let's meet back in our usual place in fifteen."

Somehow we made it out of the temple and to the outskirts of the base on a borrowed land speeder.

"Alright we made it, now can we go? Hissed Ceci her voice wavering because of the extreme coldness of Rhen Var's night.

"Not yet I want to get a closer look.

Below us was the Republic base humming with activity. On the three platforms were three Republic Dreadnaughts.

So I jumped off the cliff and slid down the side and onto the valley floor, in the process losing my lightsaber. "Damn where it is? No time I have to hurry."

"Wait! Ahri!... Come on Cecelia! Shouted Samuel"

"No! Stay there! I'll be okay."

"Just be quick about it, we need to get back okay?"

"I smiled behind the mask I was wearing, he had no idea what I was planning,no problem Samuel this shouldn't take long."

Rhen Var as an ice planet goes through frequent blizzards and the day I left was no exception. Visibility was practically nil at night, but during blizzards, it was a death sentence if you got lost. But for a Jedi a Miraluka Jedi especially it was no problem, I just followed the life forms that I was able to see. I made it to the platform, to where the real challenge was. There was a guard detail watching the area on the platform above. I needed to act fast, going up the stairs would be impossible. The snow was fresh, and it crunched when I walked. That meant I had to jump about fifty feet into the air…not impossible just difficult.

I looked at the guard and snapped my fingers creating a noise that sounded like it came from his left. He turned, and I leaped for it. I made it to the ledge when I found myself falling; I had misjudged and hadn't jumped far enough. I grabbed the edge just in time and hung on for dear life. I had seconds before the guard turned back. I struggled to get onto the platform; my upper body strength needed work. Somehow I made up and over the railing just as the guard returned to his original position. I was about fifty yards to his right, but due to the near white-out conditions, he couldn't see me. I snuck into the entrance of the ship and waited for liftoff which was in three hours. And Ceci said I didn't think things through…

"And that is how I left the Temple Master."

"…"

"Before the Council decides your fate do you have anything else to add?" Said Master Windu.

"Yes Master Windu I do, I never did leave the Order. I know that I went my way, but I never left the Order. I made every effort to keep with the ideals of the Order. But some things have to be discovered for yourself, and I knew that I would regret not taking the chance to leave the temple for the rest of my life. I learned more about myself, and just what I can do, and I respectfully ask that you judge me not by my disobedience in leaving without permission. But what I have learned and how I have matured."

"Dismissed you are. Call you back at a later date we will, said Master Yoda."

"Thank you, Masters," I said while bowing to the Council. "Thank you for hearing me out. As I was walking out, I stopped short. I had just realized something important. Masters, before I go where will I stay?"

"You will remain in the student section of the temple. Padawan Antilles will show you the way."

"Thank you, Master Yoda. "

I bowed to the Council and the room.

"Right this way."

"Thanks, I am Ahri Elysar."

"I am Taylor Antilles, and I'm sure you will be allowed to stay. So while we're waiting why don't we get some food and then I'll show you your room."

"That would be great."

At least he was kind enough not to be a chatterbox, though the pain medicine had kicked in, so I wasn't feeling like I was dying anymore.

As we descended on the turbolift I could see the sun was high in the sky, most likely it was noon or close to it. That reminded me that I hadn't had breakfast yet and was hungry.

We exited the turbolift and took the hallway we exited onto our left. From there we went up a long flight of stairs. At the top, I could hear lots of noises and clanking of silverware.

"Taylor?"

"Yes?"

"Mind if we get something to eat first, I wasn't able to have breakfast before meeting with the Council, and I am famished."

He shrugged, "sure why not."

We entered the room to find it full of Initiates, Padawans, Knights, and Masters of all species dining on a variety of food.

"Hey Barriss! Barriss, I would like you to meet my new friend Ahri Elysar. He just got back from a military expedition with the Republic and is seeking to continue his Jedi training."

The new person was a female Mirialian from the planet of Mirial. And in my opinion was very beautiful. Curves and everything, she would be a knockout in the years to come.

She was also sitting at a table eating by herself, note to self-correct that problem in the future.

She stood to greet us, namely me being the person she didn't know.

"Nice to meet you, Ahri. She inclined her head in a show of greeting and respect. I'm Barriss Offee. Padawan Learner to Jedi Master Luminara Unduli. How was the journey?"

I bowed my head in return; courtesy dictates that it be returned in the same manner it was given or greater. "Overall it was a blast (lie)! I had so much fun (half lie)! Then there were times that made me wonder what I thought when I left the temple (about even opinion on that). Overall I would do it again if I was given a chance (so right). I knew I was contradicting myself but my positive outlook of the expedition had soured after the death of Amelia. Does that answer your question, Barriss?"

"Yes it does, thank you. How about both of you get some lunch, and I will save you a seat the table I'm eating at."

"That sounds great! We'll join you in a minute." Said Taylor

"She seems like a nice person, thanks for introducing me."

"No problem let me show you where we get our food."

We ate lunch with Barriss and then afterward Taylor showed me my room, and then we parted ways. I tried to spend the next few hours in my room being lazy, but that just wasn't me. I had gotten used to doing something, anything that I was restless.

So I decided to explore, I wandered aimlessly and eventually found myself in a huge garden of sorts. It had fountains everywhere, but it wasn't the flora or water that gave me a sense of peace. It was the all-encompassing feeling of serenity. The area was a nexus of the Living Force. I basked in the waves of energy that flowed over and around me. I could feel the sickness that had for so long been a part of me recede.

I wandered around and couldn't help but find a place to fall asleep, and there I stayed.

When I woke up, I was feeling very groggy. I sat up to find flowers all over myself and my hands folded on my lap. I was in practically being prepared for embalming. I groaned and turned to my right and onto my hands and knees. The flowers around me were falling off my hair, chest, and face like raindrops. I heard lots of giggling and looked up to find a group of younglings hiding behind some shrubbery. They were the ones who doctored me up. I gave a smile and a wave, and they ran off.

But despite my smile, I was feeling ill, very ill. I crawled pathetically to the nearest solid object, which was a cumbersome and large potted plant. I used it to pull myself up and then stagger drunkenly like out of the garden. I had no idea what was wrong with me. I was feeling sicker than I had ever been before. I tried to get back to my room, but I couldn't climb the stairs that led to a higher level. It didn't help that each step was large and bigger than the last.

I ended up collapsing on the stairs not able to move backward or forwards.

In the end, it was the same younglings who played dress up me up with the flowers that found me. They ran off to find help while two stayed behind to keep an eye on me.

One was a female Togruta the other was a male human. Both were cute as can be. They kept trying to help me which was nice except they didn't know what to do other than to try it again to pat my back or rub my stomach which was making me nauseous.

"Initiate!"

I looked up; there were three Jedi and the Younglings that had left to get help.

"Are you okay, what's wrong?"

"I was fine earlier today, I had just had lunch and decided to explore the area. I found this garden…"

"The Room of a Thousand Fountains?"

"If that is what it is called yes, the younglings that brought you to me where there as well, I entered the gardens and felt weird."

"Weird? How so"

I decided to be truthful for once regarding my…issue. "I have been feeling sickly for the last few years, and it has gotten worse as time went by. However, it doesn't seem to be like any known disease that can be treated. Antibiotics wouldn't do anything if I had to guess it is a mental illness or one brought upon by the Force itself."

"The Force? Said the healer sharply, how so?"

"I can see auras and perceive the alignment of the person, and when I sense my aura, it has this sickening taint to it."

"Let's take him back to the Halls of Healing for observation. We need to know what is causing him to diminish in strength."

I was rushed to the Medical Wing which was apparently known as the Halls of Healing to the Jedi here. They conducted all sorts of tests, but all came back negative.

The lead healer on duty came up to me after a series of tests, "Initiate; we have found no reason for your illness, no physical ones that are. We would like to keep you overnight for observation."

"I would rather not, Master Healer; I don't like to stay in hospitals longer than necessary."

"That would be unwise, and as your healer, I recommend staying."

"Respectfully I can't wait here. I will let you know of any new developments."

I bowed and left before she could stop me. I was thrilled to be away from her and the rest of the healers, in fact, if I hurry I had just enough time to get a quick dinner and then head to bed again. I was exhausted….

I felt like I was between sleeping and being awake, I was surrounded by darkness and despair. I was panicking…

*Ding dong… ding dong!*

I woke up jumped to my feet, and the first thing I did was immediately stagger to the bathroom and threw up in the toilet.

Ding dong!

"Coming, I'm coming! Hello, how can I help you?"

"I was told to bring you before the High Council."

"Could you give me ten minutes to get ready and be presentable?"

"Do hurry. It is not wise to keep the Council waiting."

"Thanks. Why don't you come in and sit in a chair while I get ready."

*Twelve minutes later*

"Hurry up! We were supposed to be at the Council meeting already!"

"I'm coming; I'm coming! I didn't mean to throw up on your robes you know. It's not my fault the Council didn't give me any advanced notice."

"Less talking more power walking."

"Fine, fine, don't get your robes in a bunch."

*Eight minutes later*

"This is where I leave you. May the force be with you."

"And you."

"I stepped through the Council door, and I couldn't help but feel anxious about the Council's decision."

"Late you are Ahri," said Master Yoda.

"Respectfully Master you didn't give me any notice when you would be summoning me again. I just woke up twenty minutes ago, and I would have slept in longer if the Padawan you sent hadn't woken me up."

"Early riser you must learn to be hum. Many bad habits you have learned."

"You are correct Master Yoda, but this was the first time in years that I have been able to sleep in, so I took advantage of it."

"Ahri Elysar, the Council has decided that you will be allowed to train to be a Jedi once more. But you must stay in the temple. No wandering off, do you understand?"

"Yes, Master Windu. Thank you for allowing me to return to the Order. You won't regret it."

"Now all we need is to get you up to speed. We will give you a series of tests to gauge your knowledge and physical strength."

"Sounds like a plan. When do I start? And when can I build a lightsaber?"

"You don't have a lightsaber?"

"The only one I had was the one I gave to you yesterday."

"But didn't you have one before you left the temple asked Plo Koon?"

I blushed and looked down sheepishly." In my haste to exit the temple and not get caught I accidentally left it behind in one of the snow drifts near the base on Rhen Var. Even if you found it and gave it back to me, I should still build another, because who I was then is not who I am now."

"Your lightsaber is your life, go now, build a new one, and then begin your lessons we will, said Master Yoda."

"Thank you, Master Yoda." I turned away to leave then I realized something.

"More to say Initiate Elysar?"

"How do I get to the workstations?"

"Padawan Dor will be called to help you. She will meet you at the base of the tower in a few minutes. Go now; don't want to keep her waiting hum."

"No Master, thank you, Master."

I bowed and exited the Chamber not knowing that I would be the discussion of yet another talk.

I didn't have to wait long less than a minute after reaching the base of the tower Padawan Dor a female Falleen arrived and guided me to the workstations.

"We proceeded down several halls to a turbolift that took us up several floors, till we reached the right level."

"This is the Lightsaber Construction Chamber, and this large room is dedicated to creating, and repairing lightsabers. There is also a room that houses crystals of all sorts of colors," said Dor. "The room that we are going to is located in the High Council Quarter."

"Okay, so the rooms to the left and right are private work areas?"

"Right, there are also work areas that are on top of the hands of the giant statues. We are currently heading to the center of the floor where you will find examples of lightsabers used in the past as well as the schematics that go with them. You will need to contact the supervising Master, who has his workroom here, to enter your name into the system, and to let him know that you are here."

"Okay, anything else that I need to know?"

"No."

We entered the room, and I saw a massive rotunda that had examples of lightsabers on pedestals. To the right of each lightsaber was a holoprojector that told the information about the lightsaber. In the center with sunlight streaming down from a round skylight in the center was an information kiosk where I saw a Master Jedi, who I assumed was the supervisor for the area.

"Can I help you Padawan Dor," asked the Master Jedi?

"Yes, Master Hing, replied Dor. This is Initiate Ahri Elysar," and he gestured towards me. "He is a new arrival to the Temple. He just came back to the Temple and is in need of a new lightsaber."

While Dor was introducing me, I took a chance to get a good look at him, and man does he look freaky. Bathed in sunlight, and the surroundings having only some moderate light thus giving his surrounding the feeling of a dungeon and Master Hing being the dungeon master. "

"Well, you have come to the right place Initiate Elysar. Come; let me show you where you will get all the equipment."

"Thank you for your help Padawan Dor. You are excused."

"Good luck Ahri."

"Thanks, Dor."

As Dor left Master Hing turned to address me.

"Let's get started shall we Initiate?"

"Yes, Master."

Master Hing led gave me an extensive tour of the area showing me more examples of past lightsaber designs. I noticed that there were not a lot of lightsabers in the room and he said that it was because most were sent off to certain relatives (wealthy I figured), museums, or placed in storage to be used again when needed, and only a few were kept here. After seeing the lightsaber room, he showed me a room that seemed to just pulse so strongly with the force I had trouble seeing. Inside were thousands of lightsaber crystals of every color, and in the middle was a single workstation. I could feel that this was a place of great power, and it made me feel uneasy.

"Master, why is there a workstation in here?"

"This is the closest the order could replicate the experience you might have on Ilum, just without the trial… and the cold temperatures."

Master Hing led me back to where we started off and then he directed me to a workstation where I would find all the necessary parts for a lightsaber. I walked up the stairs to the platform to the workstations and platforms were the hands of the giant statues that Dor had told me of earlier.

When Master Hing left, I took out from my backpack all the crystals I had obtained throughout my journey. I could only use two, but I needed to think of a way I could use up to four crystals, not counting the one that will make it waterproof.

I decided to do some meditating to decide, so I locked the door to prevent interlopers and then proceeded to assume a meditative stance.

*3 hours later*

"How are you doing Initiate?"

"Huh?"

"You haven't made any progress."

"I was trying to meditate so that I remember how I created my first lightsaber."

"Need any help?"

I looked at my mess of parts and then at the Chrono sighed and then said, "yes please Master Hing."

"I suppose it is all and well. The Council has told me that you are to use a training lightsaber only."

"Then why am I here Master?"

"They are not sure of your skills and want to avoid any accidents. They have said that once they are assured you remember how to build a lightsaber; you will be allowed to use one. Since you don't remember I will instruct you."

"Thank you, Master Hing."

I managed to construct a new lightsaber after an hour of tutoring successfully and at the end, Master Hing handed me my completed lightsaber.

"Why don't you head to the Training Chamber to brush up on your lightsaber skill? The door is that away, and he pointed to his left."

I walked to the Training Chamber to find a large circular room with bleachers at the ground level and a balcony that ran the length of the chamber. The upper floor had marble statues of robbed Jedi, and the walls have reliefs of events. There was also a door that led out of the chamber. The ground floor had four giant statues of Jedi arms outstretched with a door of some kind in the middle of each. Between the statues was what I recognized as holoprojectors. Like the balcony, the ground floor was ringed with reliefs. The room was dimly lit, with the primary light source coming from above in streams and lights set on dim. The very center of the room looked like it was a part of the holoprojector but the system was more elaborated than I recognized.

I stepped into the center taking care not to step on the transparasteel I wondered what to do.

"Welcome Initiate I am JTR-47, as an automated combat specialist droid. I will be responsible for your initial training."

I turned around to see a droid with a humanoid shape approaching me.

"Pleasure to meet you JTR-47, how may I help you?"

"As I said I would be responsible for your initial training. The Council has asked me to test. So if you are ready, we will begin."

I prepared myself for combat and took out my lightsaber. "Ready teacher."

"Oh, I'm not a teacher I'm just a droid."

"When you instruct someone you are a teacher, sir."

"Very well, first things first please prepare yourself."

"For what Sir?"

"Anything, Initiate, anything."

I assumed my chosen combat position and had my lightsaber at the ready but inactivated.

"A crude…but passable version of Soresu, let's see what you remember of it."

He must have activated something because all of a sudden the doors in the middle of the four statues opened and four training droids stepped out. But only two attacked blasting away at me.

I dodged left avoiding the first attack activated my lightsaber and spun in a half circle deflecting the blaster bolts from the second droid. I leaped backward avoiding another volley of blaster bolts and landing in front of the second droid who was almost directly behind me. I immediately crouched and then spun in a circle upwards "tagging" the droid. I then used the now disabled droid as cover to block droid #1's shots again. To get rid of him I used the force throw to throw droid #2 into the second and then sped up and took out #1 with a quick thrust into the chest cavity.

The battle concluded I stood down from my combat position and awaited the next test.

"You were supposed to block the shots not dodge and go on the attack Initiate, though you did show competence in dodging."

My apologies I mustn't have been paying attention when you told me the instructions."

"Very well we will begin, and you will block the blaster shots with your lightsaber. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Master."

*Two hours later*

I was bruised, battered, had burns all over my body due to the blaster bolts hitting me and training swords that I wasn't able to stop in time. Pushed to my limit; once I showed JTR-47 that I knew the basics. He made me pull out all the stops to pass, and I was forced to step it up a level. I found myself going against droids wielding dueling blades and blasters. Sometimes they came in a group, mixed groups, or alone. The hardest part was the few droids that shot lightning at me. Man did that hurt, especially when I wasn't expecting it the first time so I was caught off guard.

"That will be enough Initiate. You have passed the basic level test. I will recommend that you be placed with a tutor though because your lightsaber skills are crude."

"Thank…you, I managed to gasp out."

"You're welcome Initiate. Have a good day."

With that, he turned around and walked through a passageway I hadn't noticed in the wall. Maintenance tunnels maybe, something to look for later though.

I looked at the Chrono on my wrist. It was dinner time, but I was exhausted. I was hurting in places I didn't think was even possible. I limped slowly and doggedly to my room. It took me twice as long to get there, and I got quite a few strange looks from passing Jedi. Said Jedi didn't offer to help me, arrogant jerks.

I entered the room and headed straight for the tub. I wanted to soak my broken and battered body in as hot a bath as I could stand.

I ended up falling asleep in the tub and woke up hours later all prune-like. I slipped out of the bath…literally. The heat sapped my strength, and my battered state led to me crawling out of the bathtub. I flopped onto the bathmat and just laid there until I could gather enough strength to get up. From there I headed straight for bed. I was feeling too tired too lazy for clothing.

The next morning I woke up feeling very sore, slightly cold, and very clammy. I just wanted to go back to bed. But I had to go to my first real class in five years, and I knew that if I didn't my teachers would go to the Council and the Council would want to know what was wrong and that would lead to questions that I had no intention of answering.

It was a cold stormy day; one of Coruscant's famous thunderstorms was ravaging the upper sections of the never-ending city when I arrived in Galactic History. My instructor was Master Abrahams who was apparently well liked by the students.

I entered the room from the rear to find a room situated like a small auditorium. The lowest part was where the teacher was and raised platforms for each of the students each level higher than the last. At most the classroom could hold I would say one hundred people, though the class was only about twenty.

"Class, settle down class, we have a new student amongst us. Initiate Ahri, why don't you come to the front of the class."

"I slowly made my way to the front of the class, as I passed some of the other Jedi, Padawans if I remembered correctly. They had a braided lock of hair.

I heard whispers of;

"That's him! That's the one I've been telling you about!"

"He's the boy that left the Rhen Var temple to go on some foolhardy adventure."

"I heard from a Padawan who heard it from an initiate who listened to a Knight talking to a friend about him that he is on the run from the law which is why he has been missing."

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Great I haven't even been here more than one week, and I am already the latest fodder for the Temple grapevine."

"Class this is Ahri Elysar, he just arrived a few days ago, and I hope you make him feel right at home."

The room was silent, a room full of about twelve teenagers ranging from thirteen to fifteen.

"Why don't you go sit next to Anakin?

I sat down to a brown haired kid and got my things out so I could begin to take notes on the First Jedi Purge.

"Psst! Hey! Ahri!"

I ignored him; I was still feeling sick and didn't feel like talking

"Anakin!"

"Why are you disturbing the class?"

"I…"

"This is the third time in as many days that you have disrupted class, stay after class I would like to talk to you in person."

"Yes Master, he sullenly replied."

He glared at me and then went back to his studies.

After class, some of the other Padawans introduced themselves to me. I met Ferus Olin a rival of Anakin's, Darra Thel-Tanis, Tru Veld, and a few others.

We then went together to our next class, Meditation, and the Living Force.

"I dislike meditating in general, but trying to levitate was just unreasonably cruel."

"It isn't so bad once you get the hang of it, said Barriss."

"I'm not used to meditation, and Master Yoda wasn't helping me concentrate by poking me in the side when he felt I wasn't concentrating enough."

"At least he didn't whack you in the side with his cane."

"He does that?"

"From time to time, you haven't been taught properly if you haven't been hit at least once. So what class are you going to next Ahri?"

"Beginning First Aid, you?"

"Advanced Healing."

"Listen, Barriss; lately I have seen groups of children walking around together why is that?"

"Oh that is because they are a part of a clan, stated Barriss."

"Clan?"

"All initiates are grouped by age and when they entered the temple. We take all our classes together though when we become Padawans we separate for the most part."

"But won't going on missions distract from your learning?"

"Not really, you see by this time we know the basics and have already decided on a "major," an area of focus. Mine is healing so I take a lot of healing courses.

"So, me not being a Padawan is unusual?"

"Pretty strange, you were probably assigned to our group so you would be with the correct age group."

*Gong sounds*

"We're going to be late, let's go Ahri!"

I have to admit I like all my classes, Physics, mathematics, astrology, history biology, Basic Aurebresh (Language Arts), lightsaber practice, application and understanding the Force, but the one class I dislike is the one taught by Master Xan. The hand to hand combat instructor, apparently what I was taught by Sergeant Baker is too crude and lacks the finesse needed to prevail in actual combat. *humph* I doubt she has ever seen real combat as I have.

I was just leaving Master Xan's class when I heard the gong sounding the fifth hour of the evening.

"If I hurry I will be able to get an hour's worth of free study now that I have finished my homework."

I arrived at the Library and went to the historical section of archives and began to read about the First Jedi Purge and the factors that led up to it. I must have fallen asleep because I ended up waking up in the middle of the night with a horrible neck cramp.

To be honest, I was a bit jumpy, the library was dimly lit and looked very menacing. The shadows seemed to leap out at me where ever I looked; it was something out of my nightmares. My heart began to pound, and I nervously took out my lightsaber and held it in my hand so that I could reassure myself that it was there if I needed it.

I was just making my way out of the archives by way of one of the side halls when I heard someone coming up behind me. In increased my pace, but the footsteps were getting closer. I broke out into a full run, sprinting through the hall to what I could only hope would be safety. I turned a corner and *BAM* ran smack dab into someone and fell onto my butt. It turned out that the person I ran into was a member of temple security.

He was patrolling the corridors when he heard me running. I told him that I was running from something that was following me. A few minutes later that something turned out to be the Chief Librarian for the Archives, Jocasta Nu. Apparently, she saw me leaving the area and followed me to investigate what I was doing at this hour.

So I told them how I came to the archives at eight and ended up falling asleep there. Realizing that I had fallen asleep in the archives, I tried to find the shortest way to my dorm room.

Unfortunately Master Nu said that I would have to be reported to the Council for being out after curfew, oh goody, just what I need, even more, unwanted attention.

I was escorted to my room by the security guard who found me, and after I thanked him for his help, I noticed that his armor was surprisingly weak. For an organization that was supposedly rich to have such poor equipment was inexcusable. I resolved to look into it at the first possible moment.

In the coming days, I managed to avoid getting into any trouble, but I didn't have any high hopes. I was just too different for my age, too independent. Something would have to give. But before it did there would be trouble.

Little did I know that I would be giving in a lot sooner than expected.

"Okay class before we begin today's lesson the Council has asked me to test Initiate Ahri in combat like scenarios, and you are going to help the Council by testing him in a variety of challenges/tests, said Master Xan."

I groaned mentally; I disliked the constant reminders that I was the odd man out. Why couldn't she have done a silent examination or even a tutorial session? Nooo, she had to choose the most public route.

"Padawan Skywalker would you assist Initiate Elysar for this exercise."

We approached Master Xan where she gave us a little pep talk.

It was the typical don't screw around show me what you've got sort of thing.

Anakin and I shook hands and went to opposite ends of the yard which wasn't all that big. I feigned having to tie my boot lasses again and crouched down. I took the opportunity to look around. To my rear and directly in front of me were doors leading to other areas of the temple. To my left was Master Xan and behind her was the rest of the class.

Having sized up the terrain and my opponent I stood up and faced my opponent.

"Begin!"

I activated my sky blue lightsaber and took three medium-sized steps toward Anakin and then took a defensive posture similar to form III: Soresu. By rooting myself, I hoped to give myself the advantage of a more powerful stance and position. The only disadvantage was that I was giving Anakin the opportunity to make the first offensive move. If he turned out to be stronger than me, then my defensive barrier would be broken.

His first attack was to try and throw me out of my stance. He locked his lightsaber with mine, and I immediately countered with a swift kick to the chest forcing him back. I then swept forward with a powerful uppercut, then disengaged and danced backward in a counter-clockwise circle and used the newfound momentum to strike a downward blow that if it were a real duel that would have cut the calf muscle if not blocked by Anakin's lightsaber. He dodged and countered with an outthrust hand.

I flew backward landing hard on my back. Dazed I nearly would have been impaled if I hadn't rolled to my left when Anakin leaped on top of me. I was in dire straits, I needed a distraction, and I needed one now.

Anakin ran over, and as he stepped over my legs, I kicked up…hard. He staggered back in pain.

I took the opportunity to get back to scramble back to my feet and reignite my lightsaber which had gone out when I hit the ground. Safety protocol I assumed.

Anakin was in pain, and very mad. I could see his aura darken and the Force ripple in response. I couldn't help but take a step back at all the darkness, all the hate directed at me. Nothing happened for a moment, and then he charged with a yell lightsaber upright in Form V: Shien/Djem, which was the opposite of Soresu.

I blanked I didn't know what to do; my concentration broken Form III did nothing to halt his advance. He powered right on through with his rage fueling his strength. He kicked me in the sternum, and I found myself on the floor again. This time he went for the kill. He hit and hit, and hit and I was finding myself feeling weaker and weaker. I just couldn't stop the lightsaber one-handed. With each hit, the lightsaber went lower and lower to the point I could feel the ozone as it burned the fibers of my clothes.

There was a flash of light, screams, a yell of pain, and an instant feeling of nausea, and then I let go and fell into the void of darkness.

When I woke up, I found myself in a bed that wasn't my own. I was disoriented. I sat up and looked around and saw a dresser right in front of me with a clock saying six p.m., an open door that led to the bathroom and shower, to my left was a bedside table and lamp and to the right of that was a door I that I assumed led into a hallway. Boy was I to be surprised! Instead of exiting into a hallway, it led me to a kitchen/living room setting. It appeared I was in a suite where Master Padawan teams stayed when not on missions. I had heard about places like these from Padawans on Rhen Var.

I was looking at the kitchen to my left when I saw something in the corner of my eye. My head snapped right, and my hand went to my lightsaber that was unfortunately not on the belt. I had no idea how I had missed her, one moment I was alone the next she was sitting right in front of me in a chair.

As if reading my mind she told me, "Your eyes deceived you, if you had genuinely wanted to find me you would have."

"Yes Master," I murmured.

The first thought I had of her was that she was an angel of Iego; wise and beautiful with flowing luxurious golden hair. There was an aura of serenity and wisdom that just seemed to radiate from her and touch everything around her. Despite her youthful appearance I knew that she was a true master of the Force, a Jedi with centuries of experience.

The elusive Master gracefully stood up and gave me a bow.

"Greetings Initiate Elysar my name is Fay, how do you like your new quarters?"

I bowed respectfully to her, "they are lovely Master Fay, but may I ask why am I hear and not in the Healers Ward or my quarters?"

"You were in the Healer's Ward, but in light of recent events, the Council decided that it would be best for your wellbeing to stay with me in one of the knight's billets. So I moved you while you were sleeping to my place."

Master Fay must have sensed the confusion in me because she responded before I could say anything.

"You're not being punished; it's just that after your duel with Padawan Skywalker the Council felt that you needed some a Master. Since I happened to be in the area and I felt that I could give you some help in coping with your stress."

"What happened, Master? All that I remember was a flash of light, screaming, and a yell of pain."

"You snapped, just before Padawan Skywalker could give the finishing blow you gripped him with the Force then hit him with a bolt of electricity. That was the yell of pain you heard. You then threw him back onto the floor. At that point, you fainted from what "we" being Master Xan, the Council, and I assume emotional trauma brought forth by your journey with the Republic fleet."

"I wouldn't have snapped if Skywalker hadn't given into his baser instincts I muttered. So you are my babysitter…who did you piss off to get this assignment? ...Master." I stated louder.

"Your travels have installed many bad habits Ahri,

"Yes Master, I apologize for my rudeness."

She nodded to show her acceptance.

"For now you will be staying here with me, and once the Council and I feel that you have mastered the basics, we will leave the Temple to travel through the galaxy."

"That sounds a lot like a Master-Padawan relationship Master Fay. Are you asking…?"

"I am Ahri if you will have me that is?"

It was a no-brainer response, but did I hardly know her…I looked her over examining her. I sized her up, my gut feeling was saying do it, but my mind was second-guessing me.

"You know that making me wait this long is considered rude, right? I am after all doing you a favor."

My head jerked up, and I looked her in the eye, "your right Master Fay you are doing me a favor."

"I apologize for the rudeness but to be honest, I am having conflicting thoughts about it." At that, I hung my head a little.

"Why don't we sit down and we can talk about it."

I was trembling with nervousness; this was it. I could finally become a Jedi. My dream was about to be on track again after five long years.

I took the seat Master Fay offered me which was next to her. I couldn't help but feel slightly insignificant and in awe of her. Up close her aura was intoxicating I wanted to touch her…just once. I leaned forward a little and put my left hand on the hand rest.

Then it was gone; her aura had changed and dimmed, no longer did I want to feel her. I looked at her and saw a knowing look on her

I flushed and put my hands in my lap, so much for being sneaky.

"So tell my Ahri, just why you are split in two, what is causing you so much trouble."

"My dream my life's ambition is to become a Jedi Knight to see the galaxy to be a student of history. I've read the stories of old, of Jedi who go into the darkness to save planets. Heck, my favorite story was that of Kerra Holt and her one-woman crusade to save the galaxy during the New Sith Wars."

"But?"

"But I have changed since I left Rhen Var I…I am not sure I can handle taking orders and having to get permission for everything I wish to do. I had quite a bit of freedom while with the Expedition…especially after the "incident."

She put her hand on my knee, "Ahri, the problem isn't the independence it is the pride, and you need to be able to bend a little. Is being a Padawan that bad a thing for you?"

"Yes! No! I mean no, it is not, and I'm just used to the way things have been going so far."

"Are you happy with the way your life has been going?"

"Not really," and by now I was whispering."

"Then let go, Si ambulavero in valle umbrae, non timebo: though I walk in the valley of shadows I fear not."

"Okay."

She cocked an eyebrow.

"I mean, it would be an honor to be your Padawan Learner…if the offer is still on the table that is."

"It would be my pleasure Padawan."

She stressed the word Padawan, and something in my heart melted away, and I felt better than I had in a long time. Maybe this won't be so bad I thought…maybe.

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End of chapter one

A/N:

Also thank you so much for reading my story; it has gone through so many revisions this being the seventh major revision. But each revision gets better and better (as you can tell I am dedicated to my story 100%).

On to Chapter 2!