Over the next few weeks Michael spent most of his time in the archives studying holocrons. He rarely slept anymore. The other padawans left him alone and he stayed away from them. His main focus was on The Great Holocron, under the guidance of Jocasta Nu. He used it to learn about constructing a lightsaber and for other studies. Each time he viewed it he learned something new; whether it be about the force (like the known fundamentals or certain abilities) or lightsabers (different styles of combat and of construction). He often had to refer to the information on other holocrons to supplement information, but Jocasta Nu was always willing to help him if he couldn't find information that he needed. It wasn't uncommon to find Michael asleep in the archives after studying for hours. He felt that he had to find out everything he could about the Jedi.

Eventually Obi-Wan told him that it was time for him to construct his lightsaber and the two departed for the Ice Caves of Ilum. Michael gathered each of the separate parts of his lightsaber that he had assembled over the past few weeks and followed his master to the ship. "Do you have your construction parts?"

"Yes, Master," Michael showed him the box that contained each of the components of his soon to be lightsaber.

"Good. Do you remember everything that you must do to construct this?"
"Yes, Master."
"Good. Now, remember. Building a lightsaber is a long process. It can take anywhere from two days upward to make. It is not uncommon for a Jedi to spend a month on his first blade, so be patient…R2, plug in the Hyperspace coordinates for Ilum." R2-D2 beeped in response. The ship took off and moments later entered Hyperspace.

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The first thing that came to mind when Michael stepped onto the planet surface was its frigid temperature. Even through the advanced thermo jacket Michael was shivering.

"Follow me, Michael, the cave is just ahead," the two trekked through the snow until they reached a cave. "Michael, through that tunnel," he pointed to a tunnel with a gloved hand, "is where you will find the Adegan Crystals used for constructing a lightsaber. You must find the one that is most fitting for you, and then you must construct your blade. But be careful."

"You don't come in with me?"
"No, my Padawan, this is a part of the journey that you must make alone."

With that Michael continued down the tunnel with nothing but the components for his lightsaber.

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It was beautiful in the tunnel. Crystals lined the walls illuminating the entire cavern as if they were giving off light. He remembered what Obi-Wan said. He has to find the crystal that is most fitting for him to construct his blade with. He didn't know what this meant. All he knew was that he could sense the force everywhere in this place, so he did the only thing he could think of doing. He meditated. He sat down, closed his eyes, and calmed his mind; allowing the energy from the crystals to float around him. He had to find the one most fitting to him, so he decided to try to reach out to one of them, but every time he tried he didn't feel anything special, so he kept trying to reach out. There were millions of crystals here, one of them had to be the right one.

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Two months had passed and Obi-Wan was worried. It was forbidden for a Padawan's Master to follow him into the cave, but lightsaber construction rarely took more than two weeks these days. He wasn't the only one. Whenever Obi-Wan contacted Anakin, Ahsoka begged him to make sure Michael was all right. Something strange was happening; and none of them knew what it was.

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It was nearing three months now, but Michael had lost track of time. There was no indication of night or day in the caves, only the perpetual light radiating from the crystals. To him, it had only been a few hours since he first stepped into the cave. He had been trying to reach out to one of the crystals the entire time but still had been unable to do so. He was about to give up when suddenly one crystal came into view in his mind. It was straight ahead, far brighter than all the others. He reached for it with his mind and felt his body nearing the crystal. When it fell into his hand it was as if a part of him that had been lost for so long had finally been found. He opened his eyes, observed the crystal, and removed his necklace. He sat down and began constructing his lightsaber.

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Tradition or no, three months was too long for Obi-Wan to worry about his apprentice. Something had to have happened in the caves. His former apprentice only took a few days to construct his lightsaber. He himself had only taken about a week. He walked to the tunnel's opening, but stopped. In the distance he saw Michael walking toward him, smiling. Obi-Wan relaxed a little. Michael walked right up to Obi-Wan and said, "I'm done, Master," before collapsing in his arms from exhaustion from using the force for such a long time.

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"So he's all right?" the hologram of Ahsoka asked Obi-Wan.

"Yes, Ahsoka. He came out of the caves this morning. He is sleeping right now, so I think it best that we don't disturb him."

"Yes, Master Kenobi."
"Master," Anakin's hologram appeared, "we have an assignment form the Council. We have to head to Kashyyyk. There have been disturbances there."
"From what?"

"We don't know. We assumed it was Dooku or Grievous, but it's someone else."
"Dark Jedi. This isn't good. I'll be at Kashyyyk immediately. You go on ahead with Ahsoka and wait for me to arrive."
"Yes, Master." The holograms faded and Obi-Wan turned to R2.

"R2, put the coordinates in for Kashyyyk." R2 did as he was ordered and Obi-Wan went to tend to Michael.

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A few hours after entering Hyperspace Michael awoke in the living quarters of the ship with Obi-Wan at his side, "Feeling better?"
"Yeah. Are we headed back to the temple?"
"No. We are heading to Kashyyyk, we have an assignment from the Council. They believe Dark Jedi are causing a disturbance."
"Dark Jedi? You mean Jedi who have fallen to the Dark side?"

"Yes. We have to bring this Jedi to justice."
"What does that mean? Capture?"
"If we can, but with what has happened we may have to kill her."

"Oh, okay…Hey, how did my lightsaber turn out?"

"It looks fine," Obi-Wan mentioned toward the hilt lying on the table in the middle of the quarters, "let's see how well it works."

Michael got up and picked up his lightsaber. He held it in the reverse grip and applied pressure to the grip and a red blade shot out of the hilt. It felt lighter in his hand, more natural; like it was a part of him, but Obi-Wan looked like he was in shock. "Master, is something wrong?"

"You made a red lightsaber?"
"Well, not intentionally."
"What do you mean?"
"I just did as you told me. Find the most fitting crystal and this was it. I didn't intend for it to be red. Aren't all of the crystals on Ilum supposed to be blue or green anyway?"
"There have been a few cases where different color crystals emerged; but do you know what a red blade usually signifies?"
"Yes. I do, but they are not only used by Sith. Didn't Darth Bane use a blue lightsaber, Master?"
"Yes, Michael. You are right; it doesn't matter. It's just slightly shocking that your first blade would be red. And the hilt is slightly longer than usual. Everything about this lightsaber is unorthodox… for a Jedi."
"Well I figured that making a bulkier and longer handle would allow me to use the force with both hands while maintaining a grip on the lightsaber. I also added a locking mechanism to the upper part of the hilt."
"Is it usable underwater?"
"No. I didn't have the time to acquire the parts to seal off the crystals."

"It's blade seems very vibrant. Did you shape the crystal in any way?"

"No, but I added something to it."
"What."
"A stone from Earth. I heard that things other than crystals could be used, so I studied some of the holocrons and infused a piece of quartz with the force."

"Hmm, interesting… Well, regardless of its unorthodox structure it is a very fine blade," he handed it back to Michael, "please take better care of it than Anakin did with his lightsabers."
"Yes Master…Um, Master, how long was I in the cave?"
"About three months."

"Wow. So I've been in the order for almost half a year now."
"Yes. The time really has flown, hasn't it?"
"Yeah." secretly Michael yearned to go back to Earth, but at the same time he was glad that he had left.

The ship left Hyperspace and the two Jedi prepared to land on Kashyyyk.

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"Master, you finally arrived." Anakin said, Ahsoka at his side.
"Anakin, how is the situation?" Obi-Wan asked as he and Michael left the ship.

"Bad, but we know who the Dark Jedi is."
"Who?"

"Zexa Rano."
"What? Are you sure?"
"Yes. The Council confirmed it must be her. By her thirteenth birthday she still hadn't received a master, so she fled the order. She has gotten much stronger."
"Then she must have fallen to the Dark Side. We must capture her. Do you have a plan?"

"Yes. We know where she camps. She is on the edge of the woods about a mile from here. The wookies won't go near that area, they say it is too dangerous for them to go, so we have to go alone."

"Excellent, let's go."

The four Jedi had walked for about half a mile and Michael felt uneasy, "Hey, Blue, what's on your mind?"
"It's nothing."
"You can't hide it from me. You're hiding something."
"This doesn't feel right. I think she's tricking us."

"How?"
"Apart from being a Zeltron, Zexa had powerful persuasion abilities. She may not be able to control the minds of someone like a Jedi with that power, but combining that ability with her pheromone she could confuse any male Jedi."
"Then why wouldn't you be affected?"
"I don't know. It didn't work during the match either, remember?"

"You have a point. I haven't felt anything, and we are close to the supposed campsite. What about you?"
"I feel something familiar about half a mile east of here. Should we break from the group?"
"Definitely. If they notice we are gone then this isn't a trick. But if they don't realize we've left you must be right." The two darted deeper into the woods and took a quick glance back. Their masters did not notice they were gone, "Looks like you were right."

The two continued deeper into the forest and saw a figure in the distance. "Stop, right where you are if you want to live." Michael couldn't mistake it; it was Zexa's voice.

"Zexa, it's me Michael, remember? We are here to help you."
"Help me? HELP ME? You ruined my life. If you hadn't been there I could have won and I would have a master by now. I had trained all my life to be a Jedi and never became a padawan; but you had only been there for less than a week and now you have a master. You have no idea how this feels."
"You are right. I don't know what it's like, but this isn't right."
"Don't preach the code to me."
"I'm not. I'm telling you, as one friend to another, that you have to come back with me."

"It's a trick. All of you Jedi are the same."
"Are we?"

"Get away." Zexa shot energy from her body. Michael was able to brace himself in time, but Ahsoka wasn't as quick. She was flung into a tree and was knocked unconscious.

"I don't want to fight you again, Zexa."

"Too bad," she activated her yellow lightsaber and charged at Michael. He activated his as well and blocked her attack. "I see you've gotten better."
"Six months is a long time to train."
"And a red saber? What doe the Council think of this?"
"I'm not like other Jedi." The two traded blows for some time, both unable to find an opening. Until Michael finally managed to Force Grab Zexa in the same way that he did in the tournament. She dropped her lightsaber on the ground and it deactivated.

"Come on, Zexa," she said to herself, "you fell for the same lousy trick." She looked at him, "Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to kill me?"
"No," he deactivated his lightsaber, "I told you. You are my friend."

"Heh, isn't this pathetic? Months of eluding the Jedi and the Wookies and you manage to defeat me within hours of your arrival. How did you know what I was doing anyway?"
"You mean with the pheromones and the persuasion?" she nodded, "I just guessed. After all, it's what you tried to do against me in our first match."

"Isn't that something?"

"Maybe it just doesn't work on good friends."

"I doubt it. You know Michael. Back on Zeltros we have a belief that our pheromones don't work on the ones we love." Michael released his grip on her and she fell to her knees. He bent down to her level and smiled at her and helped her up, "There's that smile again."

"What smile?"

"The same smile that you gave me after you beat me six months ago. It wasn't because you beat me, was is?"
"I can't remember. But I know that I'm smiling now because I just realized that you haven't become evil at all."

"Thank you, Michael…But you haven't told me about why my tricks don't work on you."

"That's because I don't know."

"Do you think it could be possible? You and me?"

"I don't know. It's forbidden by the Council, but I suppose it is possible."
"Then I won't regret doing this," she grabbed his shoulders and stood on her toes and kissed him on the lips. He was shocked, at first, but then closed his eyes and relaxed. He put his arms around her waist and pulled her in, slightly. "Michael, I think I love you."

"Zexa, I—"

"Michael, Ahsoka, where are you?" Obi-Wan called out.

"We're over here, Master…" he called back. He then quieted his voice, "Zexa, get on your knees." She knelt down and Michael re-activated his blade and held it above her, "I found Zexa," He told Anakin and Obi-Wan as they entered the clearing.

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Michael didn't have another chance to speak to Zexa, since they arrived on Coruscant, but he was sure that the Council was almost finished with her. He had been waiting with Ahsoka outside of the temple, overlooking the city. She obviously had something on her mind, "Ahsoka, what's up?"
"What?"
"What are you thinking of?"

"It's nothing."
"Well, if it's nothing you wouldn't mind telling me about it, right?" he said with a chuckle.
"I really don't want to talk about it."

"Are you sure?" He said more seriously, "If something's bothering you it might be a good idea to talk about it."

"I saw you kiss her."
"What?"

"I saw you kiss Zexa."
"Are you serious?"
"Yes, Michael. Why did you do it?"

"I don't know. It just kind of…happened."

"What did you feel?"
"What do you mean?"
"Did you like it or was it just something that happened?"
"Well of course I liked it, but…"

"Do you love her?"

Michael paused, "I don't know…maybe."

"Obi-Wan is going to kill you if he finds out."

"Well I doubt he'd be too angry. Besides, it's not like we can continue this relationship now that we are both back at the temple."

The door behind them opened and Anakin stepped out, "Ahsoka, Michael; have you see Zexa Rano?"
"No," they both said simultaneously.

"This isn't good."
"What happened, Master?"
"Zexa ran away…again, Ahsoka."
"She didn't leave a trace?"
"No, Michael. We have no idea of where she is. I guess she was just a lost cause." He walked back into the temple.

"Well isn't that just a stroke of irony?" Ahsoka said.

"Why?"
"Because…she's not at the temple anymore."

"Yeah, but I don't know where she is."
"Men…you are all hopeless." She got up and left through the same door as her master.

"We're not that hopeless. He stood up and began walking, he put his hands in his pockets (as he always did) and felt something there. He pulled it out. It was a note—

Michael Henry. Meet me at the lower city apartments in apartment C-119as soon as you get this letter. I trust you know where they are by now, so please hurry.

Love, Zexa Rano

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The Lower City Apartments were located in a part of Coruscant where you would never see Jedi except during emergencies; a perfect place for Zexa to hide. He found apartment C-119 and knocked on the door. After a few seconds Zexa answered and pulled him into the apartment and gave him a huge hug and kissed him. "I was afraid that you would never come."

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Come on. Let's go out." Michael followed her out of the apartments and into a Cantina. Obi-Wan wouldn't be looking for him for at least a few hours, so he didn't worry about returning to the temple for a while.

The two sat at a booth and a waiter came around to the table and asked, "Hello, Miss Rano, the usual?"
"Yes."

"And for your friend?"
"I'll have the same."

"Good luck, sir." The waiter left.

"So you come here often?"

"Yup. Ever since I was eleven."

"Wow. Almost three years. Impressive."
"So, you know how old I am. What about you? Let me guess…17?"

"15."

"Really? Ever been to a cantina?"

"Nope."

"Ever had a drink before?"
"Of course…a few times."

"I doubt that you'll be able to handle what you just ordered."

"So that's why the waiter said 'good luck'"

"yup."
"What about you, then? How could you handle it when you were 11?"
"I'm a Zeltron. We have two livers."

"Cool…Why'd you run away…again?"

"I didn't want to be sent to the Agriculture Corps."
"Fair enough, but what happens now?"
"Simple. Since I'm not at the temple, you can visit me whenever you can or talk to me with a holocron. We can keep this relationship a secret."
"All right," the waiter brought the drinks and left. Michael picked up his drink and said, "Here's to the start of a new relationship." the two both drank from their glasses. The drink was so strong that Michael could barely take just one sip, but Zexa downed the whole glass and wasn't even affected.

"Here, I'll finish that for you," She grabbed his drink and downed it too, "Let's go back to my place."
"What about paying?"
"For all the waiter knows, I did pay."
"Mind trick? I didn't think he'd be that simple minded."
"Welcome to the lower city."

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"Where are we going?" he asked as Zexa pulled him along.

"Back to my place," they turned the corner and were almost at her apartment, "We don't have much time before…"

"Before what?" Obi-Wan stood in their path, his speeder right by the entrance to the apartments. The two stared at him, unable to move.

"Oh shit," Michael said.

"Michael, wait for me in the speeder. I will be with you shortly.

"Yes, Master," he said reluctantly. He gave Zexa a worried glance before getting into the vehicle.

"Zexa, you should come back to the Temple. The Jedi are looking for you."

"I know. But I can't go back, Master Kenobi. Not this time."

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