Chapter 4: Graduation and a New Master

The Forge. Once a place where the ancient Je'daii had-as the name suggested-forged weapons and tools of metal. When the Jedi had relocated to Tython, the ancient structure had been redesigned to serve as a place for Padawans to construct their lightsabers. It was here that a now nineteen year old Jakkaru sat, meditating, becoming one with the Force.

After all the time he had spent on Tython, he had finally been deemed ready to face the final challenge of trekking through dangerous territory to reach the ancient stone shrine, where he would construct his very own saber. He had carefully selected the pieces that he would use, treating each one as part of a puzzle to be completed. These pieces of metal were laid out before him, waiting to be combined into the form of a hilt. Perhaps the most important piece was the crystal. Jakkaru had chosen the crystal himself, one of a mint green colour. As he had searched the caves of Tython for the right crystal, it had been that one that had called out to him, and it-like the parts he had so carefully picked out-waited before him, ready to be forged into a Jedi's most valuable tool.

As he continued to meditate, the various pieces began to lift into the air, moving as if of their own accord. The crystal floated into the center of the swirl of parts and pieces, before it was enclosed between two pieces that were then likewise covered by the skeleton of the hilt, as well as attaching to the emitter that would produce the blade. Finally the grips, power pack, and what ornamentation Jakkaru had chosen floated into place, the weapon twisting until all the parts were securely fit together.

Jakk opened his eyes with a smile as the completed saber fell into his outstretched hand. Getting to his feet, he held the saber out at arms length, admiring his work. It looked exactly how he had wanted it to appear. The hilt was mostly silver in colour, but there were also pieces of-rather ornate-pale gold metal as well. Taking in a deep breath, he mentally crossed his fingers and pressed the switch to ignite the blade. With the familiar snap-hiss the blade came into being, shining in the same mint green colour as the crystal.

He was amazed by how…perfect, the lightsaber felt. To him it seemed to be less a tool or a weapon, and more an extension of his own arm. Deactivating the saber, he clipped it to his belt with another smile. Now, he was finally ready to leave Tython. Looking down by his feet, he could see the training blade he had arrived at the Forge with. Most of the padawans on Tython carried such a weapon, as it was a symbol of their training still being incomplete.

He hesitated, then picked up the blade, placing it across his back. It seemed wrong to leave it, after it had seen him through nine years of training. With one final glance back at the Forge, Jakkaru turned and descended the stone steps, setting off back toward the Jedi Temple.

~SW~

Upon his return to the Temple, Jakkaru immediately went to appear before the Council. It was in the Council chamber that he now knelt, awaiting the Masters' judgment. The seconds ticked by, but they remained silent. He was willing to wait through their silence. In his time on Tython he had learned much, including the importance of things like patience.

Finally, Grand Master Satele Shan stepped forward. "Rise, Jakkaru Shiro. With the completion of your mission to the Forge, you have constructed your own blade, and have thus completed your training on Tython."

Jakkaru did as instructed and stood to his full height, which he couldn't help but notice now put him about two inches taller then Master Satele. How things have changed, he mused. "Thank you Master. I am honoured."

Satele smiled, ever so slightly. "Do not thank me. It is your own training that has brought you to this point. In preparation for this, the Council has assigned a Master to take you through the rest of your training."

Jakkaru nodded. "I had assumed that would be the case. Who has been chosen?"

From behind Master Satele, another member of the Council, Master Orgus Din, laughed. "Not so much chosen, as requested the moment he got his own rank."

Jakkaru quirked a brow. "Requested? Someone requested to train me?"

Master Satele nodded. "He said it would seem, fitting, for him to train you. The Council has-albeit with great consideration before hand-agreed." Raising her voice slightly she said, "You may enter now."

The doors to the Council Chamber opened, and Jakkaru's eyes went wide as the all too familiar face of Sen greeted him. Sen smiled as he entered the room. "Jeez, everyone seems so cheery. This should be a more celebratory occasion, don't you think? A Padawan finally gets to leave Tython and travel the galaxy. The least you folks could do is smile."

That statement alone caused Jakk to smile. He gad gotten to know Sen rather well in the time since they had first met, and that attitude and playful manner had brought more than a few smiles to Jakk in all that time. Still smiling, Jakk asked, "Sen, when did you become a Master?"

"About two weeks ago." With a wink he added, "And that's Master Sen to you, Padawan."

A quiet, but still audible groan came from some of the assembled Council members. Clearly, some of them weren't too fond of Sen's promotion. Ignoring them, Jakkaru asked, "So you're going to be training me then?"

Sen nodded. "Yes, I am. I'm sure it will be plenty of fun. Well, for me anyway."

Jakkaru sighed. "Being a Master hasn't changed you much then."

Sen shook his head, then turned to Master Satele and-while adopting a more formal air-said, "If you would be agreeable Master Satele, I would like to begin working with my new Padawan immediately."

Satele nodded. "Very well."

Sen smiled. "Excellent. Come on Jakkaru, let's get moving!"

Sen immediately turned and walked out of the Council Chamber, clearly expecting Jakkaru to follow him. Taking a quick look over his shoulder Jakk said, "Well, I guess I'll be going then. Farewell all."

Jakk then followed after Sen, moving quickly to catch up to his new Master. Falling into step behind Sen, he asked, "So where to now, Master?"

Sen smiled. "Well, the Council has given me a mission to Alderaan, and you're coming with me."

"Wow…really? I've heard Alderaan is a beautiful planet."

"It is, when its houses aren't fighting with each other and tearing up the country side."

"Houses?" Jakk asked.

Sen smiled wearily. "Aye, the noble houses of Alderaan. I'll tell you more about them en route, but the short version is none of them like each other very much."

Jakk nodded. "Have you ever been there before?"

"Once or twice. I prefer Corellia personally…but then I was born on Corellia, so I'm a bit biased."

Jakkaru laughed. "Maybe just a bit."

As they made their way through the Temple to the shuttle bays they continued talking and joking, acting for all the world as though they were merely friends, as opposed Master and Padawan.