Chapter 2: Goodbye, Master

I stood in front of the metal doors of the Jedi Council, waiting for the Master's beckon. My Master placed his hands on my shoulders; I looked at him and gave him a reassuring smile. He did not return it; all he did was look at the door. I sighed and looked at the ground I was standing on, studying its designs. After what felt like forever, the door finally slid open. My head shot up and my Master's hands felt to his sides. I look at him sadly and said, "If you like, I can just fail the trials."

My Master gave me a look of shock and said in a dark voice, "Never, Padawan. Never ever lie about your skills. I do not want to hold you back, it will hurt me more than it does you."

I nodded at the logic of his words and advanced past the doors, to face my trials. I heard stories about how some Padawans that get tested a few years too early gets rejected and was stuck as a Padawan until the Masters called them instead. I thought I might not pass these trials, but I knew that it wasn't the case. I knew that the Masters felt I was ready; they were the ones that called me. I nodded to the Masters when I arrived to the center, awaiting my trial…

Jedi Trials are always held in secret, only the Masters that are present and the Padawan that was being tested are the only ones that get to experience this. In other words, no I cannot tell you what had happened during the trials, sorry.

It was at least three hours when the trials were finished. I walked out of the Council's Room and gazed into the sun set outside. It was very beautiful; it made the reflective buildings shimmer brightly. I looked around the halls and noticed my Master was nowhere to be found. I sat down on the window's ledge when I saw my Master arrive. I stood up to great him, but he raised a hand, telling me to sit down. I could tell he was upset about something. He told me to stay here until he comes back. I nodded in obedience and sat back down, confused as to why he was so upset. He did clearly stated that he'd be hurt if I lied in the trials. What does he want from me? What did he want me to do?

I waited for what seem like an hour…does it always take this long to tell the Master how I did? I was about to doze to sleep when my Master came back out. His face was in a state of seriousness. Don't ask me how I can possibly just see it; it's just there. Besides, you don't spend 9 years with an alien and not know how he feels by his facial expression! I looked at my Master and gently shook him and asked, "Master?"

"What?!" my Master sudden burst. I jumped back a bit and said timidly, "Nothing…never mind."

I trotted back to our quarters without even looking at him…

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Once I got back to my quarters, I walked to my room and lie on my bed. I was hungry, but I figured, why not just sleep on it! It was very frustrating to have to listen to my stomach, I twisted and turned, hoping that the growling will go away. My tactics failed, my stomach growled to the point that I cannot possibly stand anymore! Therefore, I got up, walked to the kitchen and opened the cooling unit in there. I found a round fruit, its name I cannot remember, and I didn't care. I pulled it out and washed it, then I plunged my teeth into its soft skin. I could feel the sweet, cold juice gushing into my mouth. I walked back to the dinning area, sat down and ate the fruit, savouring every bite of it.

Suddenly, I saw my Master's room's door open and saw my Master slowly walk out. I simply ignored him and continued eating. I heard him sighed and heard his feet walk closer towards me. When the sound finally stopped, I looked up to his face and asked, "Yes, Master?"

"I am no longer your Master. Just Ksh'law."

"I passed the trials." I had said it more than I had asked it. He nodded his head and said, "The council wanted you to move to your new room by tomorrow night."

"Why can't they let me spend another day with you?"

"It's not right for two knights of the opposite sex to spend a night together unless they are already committed."

"Oh…Master, I didn't want to be a Knight. I wanted to lie on that trials, but I didn't because I knew it would hurt you."

"I know, Sylissa. I suppose it's all for the best."

"Master…"

"Yes?"

"Can you tell me how you first met me, and the true reason as to why you've taken me as your Padawan? I need to know if I am to be a Knight." I asked, almost pleading. He sighed and sat down across from me. He looked into my eyes and said, "When you just arrived to the Temple, you were only 6 and a half months old. Your Force signature tells me so. I remember how you had looked, I thought I might need shades for my eyes! You were the purest child this Temple had ever received. Right when I saw you, I knew I had to be the one to train you. I had to be around when they are offering you as a Padawan. However, as a Jedi Knight, we always had missions to attend to. I couldn't stay, the council kept me busy for 5 years. I nearly forgotten you, I had to see your face during my resting months after those 5 crazy years!

"One day, I went to see you. You looked so cute and bright, but you were terribly lonely. The other kids just wouldn't play with you. Some of them looked at you in awe of your purity, others despised you of the same thing. I visited you from afar, I didn't want to get too close and scare you away. Anyway, while you were playing, I saw you started turning red. I probed the Force around you for an answer and it told me you were burning up. I was getting very worried when you started crying, so I carried you to the Healer's level. The healers did the best they could, but they just couldn't figure out what was causing your body to burn up. They also said they can't stop your body from burning any further. I was clearly upset, so I told them I'll take care of you myself. And that I did, I took you with me and nursed you back to health in a matter of months. During the time, the Masters wanted to send me to a mission. You were with me at the time, the council was a bit uneasy about me bringing you in there. However, when you heard I had to leave, you cried. Then the Masters changed their minds, from that day on, I knew I was going to be your Master. I knew I was going to be the one that'll teach you everything, the one that'll be there when you're down. The one that'll stay by your side even at your toughest time.

"After you healed, I was sent to another mission. I couldn't refuse, I had nothing to help me refuse. They said I better take it, it'll keep my mind busy for a while. They also promised me that no other Master will take you but I. I took any missions they gave me without hesitation. At least it kept me from thinking about the day that'll we'll be partners.

"When the day came, I was so happy. You were only ten years old, but it didn't bother me. I rather be able to train a little one than someone that's a got a terrible hormone problem. I was glad this had never really kicked in while you were with me. I'm still wondering why though…"

"That's why you treated me like a child. You were afraid you would never see that purity in me anymore."

"Yes, I heard that after a while, the child's purity will fade. I hate to see something like that happen. I was afraid it would happen to you, but as I can tell, it never did. You remained as pure as the day I met you." I could see tears fall down his face, I reached to dry them. I moved to his side, brought up a chair, sat down and said, "Master, if I'm always in here," I placed a hand on his chest, "Then I will always be with you."

"And now, it is the Master that learns from the apprentice!" My Master burst with jubilant suddenly, I laughed and said, "Yes, a gift that a Master gets after training his apprentice for many years!"

We shared a hug and spent the rest of the night talking.

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The next morning, I woke up and realized that we slept on the dinning table. Thank the Force I didn't drool! That'll be very embarrassing for me! I stood up as quietly as I could and stretched, but my bulging muscles at the back of my calves pushed the chair behind me, scraping against the floor. I stopped suddenly, making my muscles feel tired and held the chair. I lift it and placed it further back, then I stretched again, but the effects of it were ruined from the last one. I heard my Master stir, then he tilted his head and blinked his large turquoise eyes. I loved those eyes, it made me feel more at peace when I look at them. I suppose that explains why I liked him, as a father, so much when I was younger. I always saw him as a father I never met.

"Good morning, Master."

"You mean, Ksh'law."

"You're still a Master to me. Until I grow out of it, I prefer calling you Master."

"Alright, if that is what you wish to do. I cannot stop you."

"Master, do you think we can possibly get a vacation from all this?"

"I think I heard the council talking about giving a vacation to some of us."

"I hope we're on the list!" I exclaimed in childish glee. Master Ksh'law laughed and said, "I agree. Would you like to go grab something to eat before we move you to your new room?"

"Must it be today?"

"Unfortunately, yes."

"Alright, Master. Let's go then! I'm starving and would love some food!" I grabbed my belt with my lightsaber still safely sheathed and wrapped it around my waist and secured it like I do every morning. I saw my Master retreat to his room as well, probably to retrieve his belt. When we walked back to the foyer of the room, I gave Master Ksh'law a big hug and said, "I'm going to miss you. But you'll always be in my heart"

"You will always be in mine as well." He said, returning the hug. Then we walked out the door, just to be pushed back in by another Jedi. I had to pull him off Master Ksh'law so that he could stand. I pushed him back and noticed it was Obi-Wan Kenobi! I was shocked at his actions, then I realized it wasn't him. His Force signature was weaker than the real one. The impostor was about to run away, but I stopped him and asked, "Who are you?"

"I don't have to answer to the likes of you!" The impostor even had Obi- Wan's voice. I grabbed him and said darkly, "You have no choice."

"Fine, I'm an impostor, happy?"

"No, I want the truth." I said without hate, although this man was pushing me. Suddenly, he attempted to shield his eyes. He yelled, "Too bright! Ahhh! I can't see! Get away!"

Naturally, I let go of him, but he pushed me. He was successful to catch me off guard. I fell on the ground and he ran away. I quickly got up on my feet and said hastily, "Stay here."

"Sylissa…" Master Ksh'law was about to say, but I just hushed him and reassured him, "I will be back, I'm going to find out who he is."

"Then be careful, he isn't what you think." Master Ksh'law warned me. I stopped a bit, hesitant, then I turned to face him and asked, "How?"

"He can shield his Force signature. He could be a Sith…"

"I'll take extra caution, do not worry, Master." I said, hoping to comfort him. I turned back and used the Force to find him. Once I was able to locate the weak signature, I lost it. I used the Force, a little more discreetly and searched for minute difference besides the strength. I found a slight hint of darkness in one, and I hooked on to the signature and then I raced towards it.

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By the time I got to the signature, I was in the cafeteria. I sent a message to everyone through the Force: "Don't let the Obi-Wan look-alike get away! Check his Force signature very carefully!"

I could feel the tension increase, then the sounds of the door in the cafeteria sealed shut. Some of the younger Jedi, younger than 12, started to whimper. All of a sudden, the impostor pulled out a 13 year old Jedi and said, "Let me go, then this Jedi gets to leave."

I stared at the 13 year old boy's eyes, tell him what to do. I could see the fear wash away and the impostor suddenly struggling to gain control. The boy turns around and kicked him where it'll hurt…and from the force of the kick, it doesn't look as if he was getting up soon. I ran to the impostor, who was holding his crotch and groaning in pain. I looked at the Jedi closes to me and said, "You there, get security here, pronto!"

He nodded and didn't even question my order. I saw him ran towards the cafeteria's door and heard it hiss open. I told two other Jedi to watch over him, they didn't question me either. It was strange, it was as if this was set to test my leadership ability or my reaction to a situation. I ran back to Master Ksh'law and told him what had happened. He said I took control well, but shouldn't have tried to get everyone involved.

"I thought it would be wise to use all the resources available. Apparently, the Jedi around me were the other available source. Besides, I thought it was wise to let everyone become aware of his appearance."

Master Ksh'law sighed as he stood up, he knew I was right, but it seems like he's running out of praise for my job well done. He was about to say something, but I stopped him and said, "No, Master, I do not need any praise from you anymore. When I did a good job, I recognize it by doing it again when necessary. Besides, I'm no longer a child, remember."

Master Ksh'law's eyes became a bit hazy, as if he was somewhere else. He shook out of it suddenly and said, "I remember, I just fall back into habit often. You should know that."

I laughed lightly and said, "I remember, but I guess I expect a little too much of you sometimes."

We gave each other more hugs and walked out the door, back to the cafeteria

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By the time we were in the cafeteria, the line for food service was longer than any asteroid worm I've seen, and I've seen quite a lot! What? Okie, fine, I guess I exaggerated a bit too much, but it looks about that big close up. While I was in the line, I felt someone jostling behind me. It was starting to bother me a little too much, so I turned around and said, "Can you please stop that? If you're that restless, I doubt you need food at all."

"Ooooo, hey, Fr'kir, look, it's that new Jedi Knight that tried to take control of things here today! Guess what's she's doing now! Trying to take control of us."

"Look, I'm asking you nicely to stop fidgeting. I would love to fidget along with you with the state of mind this line is putting us through, but I won't. It'll distract others. So please stop."

"Fine, since you said please." The boy scoffed and turned to talk to his friend behind him. The rest of our time waiting in line was pretty peaceful after that. Until I got to paying for my food, I had a sudden thought hit me. However, I thought it was wise to talk about it with Master Ksh'law when we sit down.

Finally, after what seem like a five hour-long wait for our food, it was served to us. Mental note to self: Never, ever, buy food here during lunch hour rush! I turned to see the line diminished to half of a half of the line we were in before. I shook my head and sat down, us Jedi love eating lunch early, it gives us the rest of the day to prepare for whatever we have to do. I picked at my salad and thought about the question in my head. I look up at Master Ksh'law and asked, "Master, you said we had 4 days together. Why am I moving out today if I had 4?"

"The Masters changed their minds, I suppose. I'm not gonna go and ask them."

"Why? I thought you wanted to stay with me."

"It's usually not wise to question them."

"Yes, Master Ksh'law."

"Did you actually called me by my title and name?"

"Yeah…is there a problem?"

"No, nothing, just making sure I wasn't hearing things." Master Ksh'law said before he stuffed some strange, dead, organic substance into his mouth. I shrugged and returned my attention to my food. Just then, two Jedi came to our table and asked, "Do you mind if we sit with you?"

I recognized the voice and automatically labelled it Master Jinn's voice. I looked up and saw him standing there, with a tray of food in his hands. I gestured him to grab a seat and the two did. When Obi-Wan sat beside me, I could hear some girls sitting in the row behind me moaning and almost screaming in protest. I was sure they were going to come kill me. I sighed and finished the rest of my food before I left. I guess I did it all too fast, because Obi-Wan asked, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Haven't you noticed, or have you always been this blind?"

"Maaaaybe…" Obi-Wan said in a sudden sly tone. I was shocked by his tone, but I shook it off and whispered, "Those girls sitting behind us are madly in love with you."

"You think I can date them all?"

"No, but it would be very entertaining for me to see you do sure a deed." I chuckled at the sight of him trying to please all those girls at once. I shook my head, smiling and left the cafeteria.

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It was starting to get dark, and no one was coming to help me. I sighed as I packed the things from my room into a duraplastic box. I didn't have much, or so I thought. By the time I finished packing, I had three boxes of stuff. I'd say crap, but they do have values, sentimental and financial. No! I'm not going to sell them! So don't think about it!

I looked at the datapad that was left in Master Ksh'law's room. I memorized the number 4826, but couldn't help but notice the other number: 4802. I suppose it was the room Master Ksh'law had to move to, at least he'll have to move his stuff out. I took two boxes and made my way to the turbolifts to floor 48. Fortunately for a large amount of people, the first two numbers depicts which floor your room is on. Smart…in other case, we really don't have more than 20000...yeah, we have about 500 floors or more in the Temple alone. There are stairwells for emergency…or physical endurance test…or punishment.

My mind snapped back to focus when the turbolift signalled its arrival. I stepped through the open doors and slowly found my way to 4826. I placed my stuff on the floor and then I placed my palm on the palm reader. I picked up my stuff again and waited for the authorization lights to go green. Once it did, I stepped in and saw a semi-furnished quarter. It's not like I'll be staying here forever, so the quarter's semi-furnished state was understandable. I placed the box on the ground in the middle of the room and went back for the other ones. The trip was no different, except it was just one box.

When I got back to my new room, I found a piece of paper, which was odd. Everyone uses durasheets, not ancient paper! Besides, it was a little bit more expensive than it was before in the united civilization that used to live on Coruscant…before the buildings started growing. Anyway, I picked up the delicate piece of paper in my hands. It reads, "Welcome to your new room. Meet me in the practice gym tonight, an hour after curfew."

It was signed by Obi-Wan Kenobi. What the hell is the boy up to? I sighed and placed the note in a drawer in my room. There was only one bedroom…I chuckled at it. I'm not too sure why, so don't bother asking! I sighed and looked around my new quarters…This is it, I'm finally a Knight with my own room. No more getting in trouble…like I *always*. Sarcasm, people, if you don't know it, you've been living in a cave! I sighed and decided to unpack some other time. I locked the door and jumped into my bed, which was kinda big…I shrugged and felt asleep…deep into the land of dreams…