This is a tale of a lone man. A tale that follows between the lines and shadows of the main story of the Rise and Fall of the Skywalkers. A tale of a man who had studied in both the Jedi Order and the Sith collective. But, as he had a strong sense of Morale, he ended as a lone man.
But enough of this, you will get to know him. But first, we must meet him...
Thirty years before the battle of Geonosis (five years after the birth of Obi-wan), Vanimon Deathwater was born on a very isolated planet named saleucami. A planet that focused most of it's efforts on agriculture. There, he was born to a simple family. Soon after, as he was only three years old, his parents were approached by two Jedi, Dooku and Yoda, both drawn to his Force signature.
Bringing the infant to the Temple, the High Council of Jedi decided on a very unnatural happening. Yoda and Dooku both felt the strength of the boy, who was marked on his arm. His entire left arm was reddish in skintone. Like third degree burning marks. But in stead of causing harm, this 'mark' gave the child stronger bones, bloodveins and a stronger connection to the Force.
While Jedi vowed to remain unattached to material things, they still had to rely on a dark piece of tech that was develloped to subdue the Force flow within something. So, this boy ended up with three of those bands around his left arm. One at the centre of his lower arm, one just above his elbow and a second just below his shoulder. These bands could be removed by a simple push of a button on the bands, but the boy was taught that he could never do that, only in a last resort.
And so the boy grew, learning the ways of the Force. But he was a solitude boy. He only made a hand full of friends. Some being Dooku and Obi-Wan. But, as Obi-Wan left the Temple at the age of twelve to learn under the wings of Master Qui-Gon Jinn, Vanimon became more and more of a lone wolf...
As Vanimon came to the age of eight, he and several others were called up for the Gathering. Vanimon had studied several documentations of the Gathering in the Temple archives. He was going to the planet Ilum. Ilum was a planet that heavily resembled Hoth. ice cold and unforgiving. Entering a strange temple-like building, Vanimon and his seven Jedi companions, were instructed to go in the icy caves and locate a crystal...for their lightsaber!
As the merry band of younglings all went in group, Yoda's voice echoed through the caves:
'If not back in time you are, trapped for an entire night in the caves, you will be'
Most younglings had shivered first, but then, a child named Robin had claimed the 'safety in numbers' logic and went on with the other five Jedi. Vanimon walked into the cave alone and tried to clear his mind so he could locate the crystals. But as he had thought, the Force was unusually strong in the cave. According to data he had found, the Cave would test you. Test you in the way that you lacked for a Jedi quality.
Vanimon already knew which one he lacked: being with others. He couldn't help it. As other younglings worked together, he prefered to be alone. He always liked the calmness around him. So, walking alone in the cave wasn't that bad. He had a bigger trouble with the cold. He had ventured for at least an hour before a strange 'presence' revealed itself to him. He followed it, drawn to it like a moth. Then, to his shock, he found a dark blue Ilum Crystal. Sadly, only accessable with the aid of other Force users.
His crystal was locked in a small opening in the wall, sealed with a huge block of ice. He tried for hours to lift it, remembering his training with Yoda. 'Size matters not', he had learned the meaning of the words, but his mind couldn't encompass this. He just couldn't. Exhausted and near the end of his mental capabilities, he took a medative seat and began clearing his mind. Calm the storm of his emotions, enter the eye of the storm, as he was taught. He lifted his right hand and tried again.
The hunk of ice moved slightly, he opened his eyes and saw to his amasement that he could lift the hunk of ice. Then, it crashed down. He felt desperate. And then he had a clairvoyance over him. Suddenly, he could see the solution to his puzzle. His mind raced through his obtained knowledge from the Archives. He remembered how some article had stated that 'passion and emotions could feed your Force abilities' but only at the risk of corruption from the Dark Side of the Force.
In that moment he searched his feelings, looking for one that could overclass the magnitude of the hunk of ice. In an automated state, he released two of his Force inhibitor bands of his left arm and tapped in his will. He WANTED that crystal. He wanted it, not because of possession (which was forbidden as Jedi), but because of need. He needed that crystal, it was as the need of a mind or heart. That crystal was a part of him, and he needed it.
As the power of the Force flowed through his veins and mind, a strange dark blue and feintly red arua started to cirlce around him. The block of ice began floating upwards and he summoned the crystal to him. As it was in front of him, he grabbed it with his right hand. Then, he realized he had lifted the entire thing with just his left arm. Quickly, he released the ice, which dropped down with a huge blow. Realising to late the entire cave was collapsing, he placed the crystal in his pocket and ran for the exit.
Running and dodging falling ice from the ceiling, he re-applied his inhibitors and even used some more Force abilities to enhance his speed. All by instinct. As he reached the entrance of the cave, he froze for a second. The door was closed. He was to late...
The cave was still collapsing behind him. He took a gulp and a breath. Then he ran for the door. He started to build up Force in his right fist. As he was near the icy door, he punched it, releasing the stored Force energy. And sure enough, he broke the door. As he tumbled through the hole, the cave collapsed behind him. All the other Jedi were standing there, amazed by what they had just seen. Then, Yoda and Dooku approached him.
'Very well done, Vanimon'
Yes, impressive your skills are. A fine Jedi, you will become'
To these words of kindness, Vanimon could only bow. And, to show his respect for the masters, he bowed as deep as he could. Vanimon was then taken by Dooku in a seperate ship. During the way back to the Temple, Dooku began teaching Vanimon how he had to construct a Lightsaber. Giving Vanimon the basics and several components and tools, he gave Vanimon the entire trip time to craft his Lightsaber.
Vanimon simply closed his eyes and felt with the Force how his Lightsaber would feel in his hand. And sure enough, a mental blueprint presented itself. He combined a smooth handle, which was suited for both single handed and both handed use, a very easy to handle metal design. Somewhat compareable to the handle of dooku, just uncurved, Obi-Wan kenobi's first Lightsabers decorations, and with a simple ending, like Windu's Saber. It was ment to be easy to handle, flexible and capable of two handed use for emergencies.
As he landed in the Temple hangar, Dooku was utmost impressed by this youngling. And soon offered to train him with his dueling skills. In the years that followed, Vanimon became a very accomplished duelist. Training his mind with the Force, gathering massive knowledge from the Temple and his excellent dueling teachings of Dooku, who was so good a duelist that only yoda and Windu could match him.
A Jedi's Lightsaber fightstyle was devided in seven forms. To talk about each form would take to much time, so I will quickly explain Vanimon's prefered forms. His master, Dooku, was an excellent master of the second form, Makashi. Makashi was the supreme form of fencing: elegant, precise and very strong in saber vs saber combat. Makashi's main focus was on stance, defence and counterstrikes. Opening the opponents defence for precise and deadly counterattacks. This style had but one weakness, which is the lack of kinetic velocity, as it's elegant nature makes it weak against powerstrikes and a weakness in blasterdeflection.
That's why, under Dooku's advice, Vanimon also mastered form 3: Soresu. Soresu was a style that was widely regarded as the most defensive of all the styles. An often remark was that a true Soresu master was untouchable as his/her defence was like a shell. Soresu was originally designed for blasterdeflection, but it also translates to excellent blade defence, keeping the blade as close to your body as possible, using the momentum of blade clashes to block the opponents attacks with little to no use of stamina. Soresu had but one weakness, it had no offensive cababilities what so ever.
And, as if the ultimate offence with the Makashi coupled with the Soresu's defence, Vanimon learned the basics of the sixth form: Niman. This form was best referenced as the 'diplomatic' style. It takes all the advantages and weaknesses of all other styles and drops them. Basicly, you have no weakesses or strong points in combat if you master this style. Niman was also a gateway to Jar'Kai: Dual bladed fencing.
Vanimon simply learned the basics, as to easier pinpoint and exploit the style of his opponent. Dooku invited him in a 'real' duel. He explained to Vanimon he wasn't going to kill him, but he wasn't going to give him 'another' sparring match. This was for real. Despite Dooku's extensive and masterful duelingskills, Vanimon held more then his own against him. Dooku eventually called it quits. He saw how his dueling student was able to analyse every move and even form plans and strikes in preperation. He was a very skilled duelist. More or less evenly matched with Dooku's own skills, though Vanimon would deny this.
As Vanimon came to the age of 14, the Council became distrustful of his behavior. He favored the serenity of the night, wandering the temple way past allowed time, went on every lesson alone and became a isolated of others, shutting most people out. He always claimed to work better alone. His Force powers grew stronger as he kept tapping in his emotions, all while being able to resist the corruption of the Dark Side. So the Council came up with a two way test. First a dueling competition, if he was to strike someone down, Vanimon would be expelled. And secondly a Force competition, where participants were to move objects and demonstrate their knowledge of the Force.
So, gathering around twenty younglings who were more then happy to vollunteer in this tournament, Vanimon refused at first...
'Master, I don't want to fight them, I prefer to keep my skills to myself'
'You're very wise, for a Padawan, Vanimon. You don't have to enter if you don't want'
'Doubtfully, Master Dooku, I've been able to eavesdrop on a conversation between Yoda and Windu. The Council fears that I am corrupted by the Dark Side'
'Vanimon, I have taught you how to master your Saber skills and I can assure you, the Dark Side is not present in you'
With these words, Vanimon still felt shut out from the Jedi Order. As he had roamed the halls and corridors at night, he could feel the tention. Every corridor was filled with the disgust other Jedi felt for him. In that moment, his stuborn nature kicked in. Before turning in that night, he had noted his name as the final open space for the tournament. And so it came to be...
The first couple fights were less then remarkable. Young childeren engaging is mere clashing with swords was less then amusing, but Vanimon managed to disarm each of his opponents with their first strike. His skills were completely toned and unrevealed. Dooku, watching his student from afar, managed to crack a smile. His student was leagues ahead of their wild swings. Vanimon quickly ended most duels of his own. Other fights, lasted much longer. The most of the younglings were practising in the fourth and fifth saber form: Ataru and Djen So/Shien. Ataru is the most demanding of physical abilities. Basicly, an Ataru master goes in, slashing, jumping and overwhelms his opponent with powerful attacks. Ataru has NO defence what so ever. Djen So/Shien is the Soresu extention, meaning it combines strong powerattacks, with subtle and strong defensive counterstrikes and repostes.
In wasn't long before Vanimon had to face Robin. The Jedi with whom he had embarked on the Gathering. This duel proved to be very interesting...
Vanimon drew his blade and gave the Makashi greeting. Lifting his blade up before his face, then swinging it to his right. Similar to an 'En Garde'
Robin simply drew his blade and rushed forward. As Vanimon simply parried and engaged in a chess like duel. Each attack Robin made, was easily blocked and parried by Vanimon. His Soresu allowed him the stamina he needed to block the Ataru of Robin. and after several minutes of an intense clashing of blades, Vanimon saw the ideal opening, which he capitalised on.
Robin was always leaving his left flank open when he lunged forward in his thrusts. Vanimon simply had to bait one, which he did by keeping a small dictance. One that Robin tried to close by jumping in, but that always managed to get him in trouble. So, lunging forward, Vanimon simply parried by spinning around. His blade turned downward, blocks and deflects the thurst. In his spinning motion, Vanimon speeded forward and rotated his blade. He deactivated his blade, but struck his ending at Robin's heart. The deactivated blade ensured the survival of Robin, yet Robin wasn't as happy, he never lost a duel before.
'My strike would have killed you, the duel is over'
'You cheated! How can a Makashi user defeat Ataru! Makashi isn't capable of generating enough kinetic force to block my attacks!'
'Simple, I also practice the Soresu, which allowed me to use your blade momentum against you'
All the attendants were deeply impressed by the skill Vanimon had demonstrated. Some even started clapping, which drove Robin mad with jalousy. And this is the point were Vanimon would see the hypocrite ways of the Jedi. Robin was driven mad with rage and jalousy, that he reactivated his blade and lunged for Vanimon's back. Vanimon, who never dropped his guard, simply drew his blade and parried. His Makashi allowed for extreme stance control. This means that he simply manouvred around Robin, who in his rage kept striking. Vanimon ultimately parried an attack that left Robin out of balance. Simply blowing at Robin, he felt backwards.
Spectators were amased by this display of duelist skill. Vanimon then aimed his blade at Robin's heart. Everyone held their breaths. Yoda and Windu stood up, ready to react to this. yet Vanimon deactivated his blade and offered Robin a hand. Robin, still thinking that Vanimon had cheated, simply pushed it aside and stood to his feet. With a very agressive motion, he turned around and walked away.
'Good duel, may the Force be with you'
Vanimon didn't think that would take the rage away, but it's the least he could do, offering him a thanks for a fine duel. Vanimon then retracted his blade and stepped away from the ring. Masters Windu, Yoda and Dooku, came towards Vanimon. But he didn't think it was because of his victory.
'Hold it, Vanimon, master Yoda and I have to ask you some questions'
'As you wish, my masters'
'Your style, Dooku taught you, hmm?'
'Yes, master Yoda, Master Dooku taught me the Makashi style'
'Then why is it that you also mastered the Soresu?'
'Because I am not of the same skill as my teacher, master Windu. Master Dooku is an unrivaled master at the art of dueling with his Makashi. He can even compensate for most of it's weaknesses because of supreme years of training. In responce to the lack of defence in Makashi, I aslo studied Soresu...and the basics of Niman'
'A real defence you build, yes? Not a single agressive style, like the Ataru, hmm?'
'No, master Yoda. My stamina isn't able to uphold the Ataru style. Master Qui-Gon Jinn, who was also taught by Dooku, is a true master of that style. But there's but one true Araru master out there, which is You, master Yoda'
'That is all fine and well, but what was that display of dominance?'
'Dominance? Master Windu, I assure you...'
'You could have defeated that boy from the first moment you struck, why didn't you?'
'Master Windu, if I may, Vanimon is still learning, as he was so wise to analyse during the fight, he opened with Soresu against a strong Ataru fighter. he didn't rush it, because he played it safe'
'I didn't ask you anything, Dooku'
'Masters, If this is about dominance or agression, then why am I being questioned? Robin displayed a clear flaw in Jedi beliefs, he struck at me, after I had ended the duel'
'Talk to that boy, we will...later'
Vanimon couldn't believe his ears. Because he hadn't ended the last fight, like the others, as quick, he was standing accused because of it? He was dealing with a far better combatant then the others were. He simply played safe. But the boy who had struck out in anger and jalousy, they let him go? Then, another part of his mind slowly recalled this, he remembered an article. Most families across the Galaxy were honored if the Jedi came, as this meant that they had a Jedi in their family. But others would call them kidnappers. Snatching away infants to raise them in the Temple. Why children? Because they haven't experienced fear before.
Vanimon always thought of that as 'wrong', why wouldn't he? Fear is an emotion that more times then often help you survive. Fear makes you 'irrational', yes, but if you were to face a Rancor or saw a horde of charging Wookees, you would be afraid as well.
Essentially, Jedi were wrong in so many ways, to Vanimon. You weren't allowed to commit to someone, as possession is forbidden. You have to resist the Dark Side, the Shrouded Path. Yoda had told him so many times: 'Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.'
Just like the way why possession was forbidden: 'attachment leads to jalousy...The shadow of greed, that is...'
Vanimon awoke from his thinking as Dooku placed his hand on Vanimon's shoulder.
'I doubt he wanted to 'savor' the fight. He simply played defensive. We can't all fight like you, master Windu'
'Well, we can't simply ignore how this boy fought'
'I am not just a boy...I am Vanimon'
All three masters were amased by this sudden outburst. Dooku because of his nerve, he stood up to three of the most respected Jedi. Yoda because of how he did so, not in anger, but simply because he had enough of the way they had acted against him. Windu, because of the lack of respect.
'...with all due respect, masters. But if I am being accused of Dark Side Corruption, a Jedi who just lached out in rage and jalousy is being let loose? I am sorry, but I will not stand for this'
'You, young Jedi, will learn your place'
'Windu, Vanimon has a point'
'Right, everyone is. Discuss this matter later, and more privately, we will'
Vanimon bowed and left. he had enough of this hypocrite way of life. He barged into the Library and started studying 'sensitive' articles. He had been able to find a place, that was just not off-limits to non-Council members. Among these pages he learned a strange truth. According to some old documented war, Jedi were seen as bad guys. The Manalorians saw Jedi as corrupt and dishonest. Vanimon now understood why. Then, as he was hiding within a corner, he heard voices. As he looked over the edge of the second floor, he saw Windu and Robin.
'You did a very bad duty. Why struck out in anger? I know you wanted to practise the Vaapad, which I created from Juyo. But you need mental control'
'Yes master, I just wanted to strike at his gloating arrogance'
'Mind your actions, Robin'
'Yes, who else would watch your back, if Windu would drop you...you'd be alone against me'
Both Jedi stared upwards. Nonchalantly sitting up the railing, Vanimon watched both of them. Windu ignored his taunt, Robin was visibily cooking with rage. Vanimon wasn't an arrogant person, if anything, he found himself quite humble. He never gloated in battle, only studied alone because he prefered it, but otherways...he didn't seem to care for 'ego.'
'You think you're unbeatable, don't you'
'No, I know you can't beat me. Juyo and Vaapad are strong styles, but you were still pracising Ataru, which I studied to find weaknesses. I plan...what do you do?'
'You...need a lesson'
'No, you need to be put down, Robin'
'Did you just threat Robin while I am standing within range of the threat?'
'Why would I respect you, Windu? You clearly dislike me and disrespect me. Don't worry, I'll leave tomorrow'
With that said, Vanimon just jumped down and started walking away...
'You can't, you are still in the tournament'
'Then I'll withdraw, Windu'
Vanimon went back to his room and began meditating. As the night progressed into the morning, at his birthday, he prepared to leave the Temple. Then, as he was walking past the Library, he ran into Dooku. Dooku, having heard of the 'encounter' last night, Dooku offered Vanimon a strange offer. Vanimon knew Dooku didn't agree with the Jedi Order as they were more and more corrupt like the Senate. If Vanimon could win the tournament, Dooku would take him back to his home planet of Sorrenno. Vanimon gladly accepted that.
The duel arena was now filled with all kinds of stuff. Small objects like sticks, medium things like crates and two gigantic ships. Vanimon arrived as the last one, but the most were all staring at him, eyes filled with disgust. Robin had surely sold a fake story of last night. He honestly couldn't care less...
'Easy, this task, is not. Lift the objects, you must. The one who lifts the most, win he does. And the winner, choose his own master, he can'
'Master, can I go first?'
Everyone present was amazed. Vanimon, the solitude Jedi, volluntered to go first? What was going on? Never the less, Yoda gave Vanimon permission. Vanimon, who had been thinking of how he could shock everyone, had formed a very daring move. As he took his place in the centre of the huge arena, he reached out with the Force, releasing his Inhibitors, secrelty. He had one final trick up his sleeve that no one knew he had studied. He could ellude his powers by masking them. Keeping his powers of radar, but also allowing him to move through places unseen. Then, he lifted his right and left hand, cleared his mind and lifted ALL objects, with relative ease.
All the onlookers just gasped. There stood a 15-year old Jedi who lifted all the objects that were in his surroundings. Not a single Jedi could comprehend this. Even Dooku was amazed. Even though he didn't know the full extent of how the Inhibitors were more a danger,then a gift. As the Force was three times as strong in his left arm, that also ment that it would cause tissue damage. Vanimon made one last shocking display: he held all the objects in his left hand alone.
'Well? Are you entertained? Do you feel glad? Maybe I am corrupted. You Jedi are all hypocrites'
After yelling that, he simply let go, re-applied his Inhibitors, feeling a little stiff. As if he had strained his arm. Everyone was to amazed, then, all the objects crashed to the floor. Most were wrecked. Vanimon didn't turn around and walked away.
'I give my victory to Robin, may the Force grant him fortune'
And with no other words, he left. Dooku explained that he had left the Order also because of the fact that his apprentice, Qui-Gon, had died in a battle on Naboo. Vanimon expressed his condolances, but wasn't exactly sure what would happen now.
Maybe on Sorrenno, the Force would guide him?
