Trial of the Heart
Episode 1: Prelude to the Trials
It is truly amazing how one small change in the flow of the Force can drastically change the events in the Galaxy. Even the smallest of actions can cause far reaching effects.
Coruscant, the outer pathways of the Jedi Temple
"Do not defy the council, Master, not again." Obi-Wan pleaded with his master, to no avail. "I shall do what I must, Obi-Wan." Qui-Gon Jinn adamantly stated, knowing where this conversation was going. It wasn't the first time his Padawan had brought it up, nor would it be the last. Turning to look over the balcony at the sunset, he sighed when Obi-Wan continued. "If you would just follow the Code, you'd already be on the Council. They will not go along with you this time." Inwardly shaking his head, he placed his hand on his Padawan's shoulder. "You still have much to learn, my young apprentice."
Staring off into the sunset, Qui-Gon's memories began returning to the topic of the conversation, ever so gracefully evaded throughout.
"In love, you two, seem to be." Yoda said to the two Jedi in front of him and the rest of the Council. "Forbidden, love is, by the Code. What say you, in your defence?" The other members of the council nodded their agreement.
Qui-Gon took in a deep breath and looked Master Yoda right in the eyes. "I admit to loving a fellow Jedi, by the name of Katarine Hedan'e, who now stands beside me. I admit to breaking the Code, and will willingly take the punishment for it. But it will not stop me from loving her." The council sighed at his words, knowing that it was coming.
"And what say you, Katarine?" Master Windu asked the young female in front of him. She looked directly into his eyes while she spoke. "I'd give my life time and time again for Qui-Gon. But I know the Code, and we cannot be. I ask but one favour of this Council: Let Qui-Gon stay as a Jedi. I will go into self-exile at first light."
Qui-Gon turned to her. "Must it be this way, Katarine?" The woman nodded and grabbed his hand, squeezing tightly. "I will not force you to give up the Order you love. Just promise me: You'll never forget."
Aboard the Nubian Shuttle
The long space ride back to Naboo seemed to ire Amidala beyond repair. The child Queen smiled as she played with the young boy that the Jedi had brought with them, but inwardly she was raging. We need to go faster! It's my people dying, you foolish Jedi! I need to help them! She was brought out of her thoughts by Anakin's hand being placed upon her shoulder. "Are you alright?" The young boy asked, bringing a genuine smile to the Queen's face.
"I'm just worried, Anakin. The Queen's people are having a bad time right now, but we're going to help them." Anakin smiled that smile that made him seem to know everything, and placed his hand on hers as a comforting gesture. "It will be okay." The young woman suddenly felt the ship slow, making her sigh. "Master Jedi, why are we slowing?"
"There is an asteroid field, Your Highness. We need to navigate through it before we enter Hyperspace." Amidala sighed again. They had just recently left a refuelling station in the middle of god knows what system, and now they had to fly through a debris field? What's next, fighting the Fed's?
"Master Qui-Gon, there's an open hail on the Inter-Galactic S.O.S. frequency, do you want to hear it?" Obi-Wan asked from the cockpit, making the Jedi Master to turn and walk towards the cockpit. "Let's hear it, Padawan." Flipping two switches and pressing a button, the pilot played the hail on the open mics, allowing both of them to hear it.
"-Kzz- Is anyone out there? Please, I'm stranded on an asteroid... the coordinates –Kzzzzz- Please, I have a child with me. I repeat... –Kzzzz-" Obi-Wan looked at his master with concern. "Do we go help? Queen Amidala is already worried about her people; another detour may set her off." Qui-Gon nodded. His padawan had a point; the monarch wouldn't be pleased if they took another detour. But, she was also merciful, and knowing a child's life may be at stake...
"Set a course for those coordinates. A Jedi should never turn their backs on someone in trouble." The pilot nodded and began plotting a course through the asteroid belt. All the while, the only thing Qui-Gon could think of was how... familiar that voice had sounded. It ached at the back of his head for the entire detour, until the small private starship came into sight. The wings had laser scoring on them and holes all over, and the hull looked like it was about to give way. "Pirate attack, Master?"
"No, this seems to surgical for rogues. Those aren't blaster holes, either; they almost look like... lightsaber cuts." Qui-Gon voiced, making his padawan's eyes widen. "But no Jedi would strike a private vessel without reason." Qui-Gon nodded. "Which makes you wonder what's happening in the section of the Galaxy..."
The pilot responded to the hail and requested the passengers to transfer via space suits, which was quickly accepted. The two Jedi watched as a pair of suits, one large and one small, floated from the stranded ship and to their own.
As the woman floated into the airlock of the spaceship that rescued her, she smiled. Thank the Force some still believe in helping out those in need! She and her child had been stranded out on that rock for almost a week now, and their small ship was beginning to run low on supplies. Their situation didn't help them in any way, either. If the people who attacked them knew they were still alive...
"Welcome aboard." A young girl said to her as she exited the airlock. Sitting in the small room she entered was the young girl in question, a young boy, two droids, and... No, of all the things you could have thrown at me, Force, it had to be him... Taking off her helmet, the new passenger shook her long, silver hair out and smiled at Qui-Gon Jinn. "Hello, Qui-Gon. It's been far too long."
"...Katarine?" Qui-Gon was... speechless. "Katarine, what are you doing here?" Memories that the Jedi Master had suppressed for four years, memories he'd bring up in times of hardship to keep him from turning to the Dark Side, like his last Padawan had. He slowly stepped forward, reaching a hand up to place upon the woman's cheek, making sure she was real, and not a trick of the Force.
Katarine Hedan'e took his hand in her own and placed it upon her cheek, shedding a single tear. "I've missed you, Qui-Gon." Suddenly leaping forward, she embraced the Jedi Master in a very... intimate embrace. An embrace that startled the rest of the people within that small cabin. Qui-Gon, shocked at first, returned the embrace awkwardly. "What happened, Katarine?"
"We were attacked by this... strange fighter ship. It had droids with beam cutters, they attacked us. I managed to push them away with the Force and escape pursuit, but we were too damaged to move." A light smile graced her lips as the young boy grasped her hand. Katarine bent down and helped the child remove his helmet, revealing light brown hair and golden eyes. "Jason, say hello to your father."
Qui-Gon Spent the trip through the debris field and the Hyperspace flight introducing, explaining, and getting to know his love and son, and what they had been up to for the last three years. "Qui-Gon... you need to know. Our son, he's shown signs of being attuned with the Force."
This was the last comment said by the woman before the pilot of the ship stated that they'd arrived at their destination.
The Battle with Darth Maul
As Obi-Wan was blocked by the first beam barrier, Katarine was near the far side, watching, still recovering from the Force Blast the Sith had struck her with. She heard Obi-Wan yell, and watched as the barriers fell, knowing she wouldn't make it to the other side in time.
When she was blocked by the final barrier, she screamed and tears began falling from her face, as she saw her love lying on the floor, a saber stab wound in his stomach. "Qui-Gon..." The glare she had fixed upon the now gloating Sith as he watched the young Padawan struggle to keep from falling, that glare could have killed if the barrier wasn't between them.
As soon as the barrier dropped, she ignited her shoto saber and dashed at the Sith, only to have him stab her in the gut like her love. "Now's your chance, kid." Katarine said as she fell over in shock.
Obi-Wan Force Jumped from the ledge and called his master's saber to his hands, cutting the Sith in half. After talking to his master, he began to walk off, but Katarine's voice carried to him. "Kid, come here."
"I have a name, Lady Hedan'e." Katarine smiled. "Sorry, Obi-Wan. Please, do me one last favour." Her hand lifted up slightly as the shoto flowed to her hand. Using the Force, she disassembled it, moving the crystal in front of the padawan. "Make sure... my son gets this. And watch over him as he becomes... a Jedi."
The Jedi Council Chamber
"Disturbing, this news is, Obi-Wan." Master Yoda stated as he looked at the now Masterless Padawan and the very young boy beside him. "This boy, child of two Jedi, he is. Happened before, this has not. As a Jedi, shall he be trained, Council?" Yoda turned to his fellow Jedi Masters, asking for a vote to be cast.
A close tie was made before it came down to Master Windu. "Although this child, by our Code, should not even be here... he is a beacon of hope to us. He is living proof that Love may be possible for us. Master Yoda, I approve of his training." The shock from all the other Master Jedi was apparent as the dark skinned Jedi spoke about approving of Love amongst Jedi.
"Agreed then, we are. Come with me, you will, Jason. To your fellow learners, I will take you." Yoda smiled at the young boy as his hover seat lifted from the chair and moved out of the room. After they left the chambers, Obi-Wan bent down to look Jason in the eye. "You're mother wanted you to have this, young one." Placing the Crystal in his hand, he smiled at Obi-Wan. "Thank you, Master Obi-Wan."
Somewhere in the Jedi Temple
The entire group of children froze on the spot as the ancient and tiny Jedi entered the room. A light chuckle left his mouth at their reaction. "Easy children. A new friend, you have gotten, today. Introduce himself now, he will." And with that, Yoda left the young boy alone, in front of the entire group of children. Blushing furiously, and with not a bit of reluctance, he spoke.
"Hi, my... my name's Jason Hedan'e. It's nice... to meet you all." The group just stared at him for a few more seconds before turning and continuing their antics, while the adults present tried to keep order.
Then a young Togrutan girl, a Twi'lek boy, and another Human boy, possibly Naboo, walked up to him. "Hi, I'm Ahsoka Tano. This is Dominic..." She pointed to the Twi'lek boy. "... and Matthew." She pointed to the Naboo kid. "Wanna come play with us?" Smiling at their kind actions, Jason nodded. "Thanks for asking me."
The Jedi Academy, Ten years later
Many Younglings gathered in a special chamber within the Academy, looking in awe at the lightsabers on display within. "Today you will begin building your own lightsaber, Younglings. This is an important part of your training: Your Saber is a part of you. Did you all meditate with the Crystals you picked out last week, children?" The group all nodded except for Jason, who was smiling oddly. "Jason, you didn't meditate with the Crystal from last week?"
"I didn't pick a crystal last week, ma'am. I've had my crystal ready for years." He held out a Durindfire crystal to show to the handler. The lady nodded and smiled. "Your mother's..." She then walked down the hall, expecting the children to follow. "Each of you will choose a style of saber, and build it to fit your own personal tastes. We encourage you to make it unique." She stopped in front of a wall within a circular room.
"These are the focusing lens. An integral part of your blade, make sure to pick one that will work well with your crystal." She them pointed across the room to a doorway. "That room contains the Beam Emitters." Pointing to another doorway, she said, "That room holds the Energy cells and power insulators." The she pointed to the final doorway. "That room contains odd and ends for customization of your hilt. You have all of today and tomorrow to work on this. After that, all building must be done in your spare time."
The Jedi Initiates quickly split off into groups, each going with their close friends to work on their beam saber. Jason, Ahsoka and Dominic began the time by looking over Hilt types, selecting the one they'd prefer. Jason's eyes lingered on the pike hilt for a moment, before he smiled. "I'll make one of those." Ahsoka and Dom both turned to see him staring at the five foot tall piece of metal on display. "A Saber Pike, Jason? Can't you just be like the rest of us and make a Shoto saber or a regular one?" Dom said in an exasperated tone, his penchant for the dramatics surfacing once again.
"I like it." Ahsoka said, smiling. "It suits you." She then ran off, looking at the shoto saber hilt on display. "Me, I'm making a Shoto saber. Quick and agile, works with my style perfectly." Jason smiled over at her. "Just make sure not to drop this one like you do the training sabers all the time. You might actually lose an arm." Ahsoka turned to face Jason with a shocked face before glaring at him. "I swear it's the grips on those things! I can't keep them in my hands!" Flinging her arms into the air to emphasize that last point, she ran up and punched Jason in the arm. "And what about you? You can barely hold your own in saber combat." She grinned at him.
"Which is why I'm making a Pike, not a saber." Jason replied to her rise, sticking his tongue out. "Figure if I use something different, I might do better." Signalling the local archiver over, Jason smiled to him as he came over. "Can I help you Youngling?" The elderly Jedi asked. "Yes, Master. I was wondering if there was any special procedures for acquiring a Saber Pike hilt base?" The elderly man's eyes sparked lightly at the comment. "It's been many years since a youngling has asked to make a pike. We happen to have some stock of Mandalorian Iron in our store room, would you like the artisans to help you shape it?"
Jason smiled at the master Jedi. "That would be wonderful, Master. When can I start?" The elderly man signalled for Jason to follow him. "Right now."
Jedi Temple, Two Months Later
Jason walked out of the Artisan's quarters with a huge grin on his face and his finished Pike Hilt in his hand. He still had free time for another few hours, and he planned to finish his weapon by then, so he could show it off to the others. And as if on cue... "Jason!" The young man turned to see his Togrutan friend run up and hug him, making him blush slightly. "Hey, 'Soka. I take it you got some spare time, too?"
The young alien girl smiled at Jason. "Yep. I was planning to put the final touches on my Saber. Seems you had the same idea, huh?" She smiled down at the long piece of metal in his hand. Jason smirked. "Just finished shaping the hilt. You have no idea how hard it is to work Mandalorian Iron using the Force." Sighing slightly, Jason walked with Ahsoka back to the place where all the saber parts were. Both of the young Jedi Initiates knew exactly what they were going to put inside the customized hilts, after all, Ahsoka only needed to pit an Emitter Matrix and Jason had his plans thought up weeks ago.
As the both put the finishing touches on their beam weapons, the power suddenly went out in the temple, causing both of the younglings to activate their weapons for light. Jason's seemed to radiate a greater amount of light than Ahsoka's, probably due to the silver hue it held. "Let's find out what's happening." Ahsoka said rather loudly, and rushed out into the main chambers.
They both ran into a purple saber wielding Mace Windu. "What are you doing here, Younglings?" He asked them angrily before noticing the weapons in their hands and exactly where he was. "Ah." Was all he said as he signalled them to follow.
"Stay here, Younglings. There may be danger within the temple, so you two must help protect those who can't defend themselves." Jason nodded firmly, then grabbed Ahsoka's hand and pulled her with him to the room Master Windu had pointed them to. When the door opened, a pair of Jedi had their lightsabers activated and blocked their paths temporarily before recognizing them. "Jason, Ahsoka!" The Handler for their group cried out from the middle of the room. "You both are safe. Where were you?"
"We had free time this afternoon, so we went to work on our sabers." Jason said as he pulled Ahsoka to the handler and the rest of her group.
A/N: Well, here's to my first Clone Wars fic. Been a fan of the animated series for a while. As I always ask, please read and REVIEW people. I lose the inspiration to write of I don't get reviews, it makes me feel unappreciated. Ciao till next time. *Disappears in a cloud of black smoke*