Hey! Sorry I took awhile to update! I have been suuuuuuupppppeeeerrrr busy, with the holidays and family stuff and all that! I also am running out of ideas for these sorta filler chapters x.x
Please please pllllleeeeeaaaaaasssssseeeee review and/or PM with ideas for this story, or if you have critique I'd like to hear it!
Anyway, since I've been running sorta low on ideas, updates might be slower, so please bear with me! Thanks!
Now, on with the story! Enjoy!
Jack peered into the nearly empty council chamber. Only Master Yoda was in the room, sitting at his usual spot. Jack hesitantly entered, looking around before shuffling forward.
"Uh...'Evening, Master Yoda." Jack greeted, bowing respectfully.
The jedi master smiled, the expression easing Jack's nerves.
"Jackson. Good to see you well, it is. Worried when news of the cave in came, many were. Myself included."
Jack looked at his feet sheepishly.
"I didn't mean to cause any worry, Master Yoda. I'm sorry."
Yoda chuckled, gesturing for Jack to sit.
"No need for apology, young Jack. Life of a jedi, it is."
Jack nodded, settling down and sitting on his knees before the elderly master.
"Troubling dreams you are having, Master Windu says."
Jack nodded.
"Yeah. I have, for the past week or so." Jack replied, messing with a loose thread that stuck out from the hem of his robe's tunic.
"Hm..." Master Yoda hummed, a hand coming to his chin in thought. "Rare, visions are. And to come in such rapid sucession? Curious, it is. Very curious."
Jack felt dread settle once more in the pit of his stomach, such as he had felt so many times that week.
"So they really are visions?" He asked, looking a bit sick.
"Perhaps. See with these dreams with much clarity, you do?"
The teen nodded, fidgiting a bit.
"Yeah. Like they're really happening that moment. I can even...Even feel pain in them."
Yoda humed again, allowing silence to then fall for a few long minutes. Finally, the green skinned jedi broke it.
"Tell me what you see in these visions, you will?"
Jack shrugged.
"I...I guess I can. Or the first one, at least. The last...Well, the second vision I got the other night is still too hard for me to talk about, Master Yoda."
The master smiled gently, nodding in acceptance of this, and Jack took a deep breath.
He plowed head first into the description on his first nightmare. Sometime's the teen had to pause, to regain his courage, but would then continue with the vivid description.
Jack was glad to finish a few minutes later. Thinking about the nightmares made his insides twist in knots and his palms sweaty.
Master Yoda, seeing how anxious the teen was after talking about the dream, offered a soft smile. He gave a subject for Jack to distract himself with as the jedi master thought.
"Your lightsaber. Completed, is it?"
The youth, eager to talk about something more plesant, jumped at the chance of speaking about his new lightsaber.
"Yes, Master Yoda. I finished it while Master Windu and I were on our way back here."
"See it, may I?" Yoda asked, chuckling as Jack nodded enthusiastically, reaching to his hip and hand curling around the cold hilt of his saber. He then held it out to the elderly master.
"I'd suggest you don't touch it, Master Yoda. Master Windu tried and it gave him a nasty shock, since the crystal bonded to me."
"I see. A fine design, is this." Yoda said, examining the hilt.
"I'm just glad it's sturdy and doesn't fall apart." Jack admitted with a shy laugh.
The teen then activated the saber, the silver-blue blade springing forth. The color was rather interesting, consisting of a more silver-white hue than blue. The blade was thin, but it radiated head. It could surely cause damage.
"I've tested my abilities with the crystal now in my possesion." Jack said hesitantly. "I read that some crystals can effect their weilder, or can cause more damage than others."
"Ah, understand, I do. Any effect, does it?"
Jack nodded.
"It...It probably sounds really weird, Master Yoda, but...It's like it cast a light on something that was always half a shadow. I could see colors before, and I still can, but now...Now I understand what they mean. Though I had some idea before, but now it's all clear."
Realization then flickered across Jack's face, and he dissabled his saber, looking at Yoda.
"Maybe that's why I have those visions now!"
Yoda hummed, wisened eyes looking over Jack.
"Possible, it is, that you denied your abilities. The crystal in your saber, made impossible to deny abilities anymore, perhaps."
That idea made Jack slightly sick to his stomach. If the crystal hadn't enhanced his abilities...then just how strong was he?
Thinking that was not at all pleasant.
Jack watched as the rest of the council filed in, his teacher included.
Yoda gestured to Jack, and he took the que. Standing, the teen moved to the center of the room, bowing politely to the other masters in greeting.
"Speaking of young Jack's visions, he and I have." Yoda explained to the rest of the council. "Worrying they are. Hmm...very concerning. Yes, very concerning."
Jack gulped.
"Uh, Master Yoda? That...isn't very comforting." The teen said quietly, shuffling a bit.
Yoda smiled kindly at him.
"But try to prevent such a future as you've seen, we will." He reassured. The black haired teen nodded, though still looked worried.
"Seems that Dooku will soon learn of Jack, he will. Then pursue Jack, he will set out to do."
"And he doesn't plan on inviting me over for Jawa juice." Jack added quietly, smiling shyly and silently proud he'd remembered the name of the drink. "What he has in store for me isn't pleasant."
Windu's brow furrowed.
"Then he is having visions? Not just nightmares?"
Yoda shook his head.
"Visions, they are. The crystal in Jack's lightsaber, opened his mind, it has."
"Opened his mind?" Obiwan asked, confusion making him frown.
Jack nodded, explaining what he and Yoda had discussed.
"Yeah. You see, I only discovered I had the force recently. Before, I could never sense anything, because I was 'denying' my abilities. We think that the explosion that brought me here forced me to stop denying some of my power. When I got my saber crystal and it bonded to me, it forced me to stop denying yet another large portion of my ability."
Jack struggled to find the right way to explain it more clearly.
"It's like...It made me open my eyes. Made me stop denying that I could see more than I wanted."
"Why the visions came so suddenly, it is." Yoda said in agreement.
"But, thankfully, Master Yoda pointed out that the future can be changed." Jack said, the idea making relief cross his features.
"Then we must find a way to change it. Soon." Windu stated, eyes narrowing.
Jack then put in his two cents.
"I think I should at least know who this 'Count Dooku' guy is." He said. "All I know is his name and face."
Windu frowned dissaprovingly at his padawan.
"We have already spoken about this, Jackson. The discussion is closed."
Jack scowled at his mentor defyingly.
"Well I'm opening is back up."
Windu opened his mouth to reply, but Obiwan cut him off.
"I believe Jack is right. Wouldn't it benifit him to know about Dooku? If we can't change the future as Jack has seen it, it would be best for him to know what to expect."
Jack sent a grateful look to Obiwan. At least someone agreed with him.
The council looked at each other, a silent conversation going on. Jack waited patiently, locking his hands behind his back.
Windu suddenly let out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead as though to ward away a headache.
"Fine." He finally muttered. He then folded his hands in his lap, stern gaze turning to his student.
"Dooku was, long ago, a part of the jedi order. But then his ideals changed, and he turned to the dark side, becoming one of the most powerful sith lords ever encountered. He is ruthless, unafraid of causing torturing and killing any who stands in the way of his goals."
Jack grimaced, paling slightly.
"Wow. He sounds like a charmer." He said dryly.
Windu sighed. Jack could be as sarcastic as Anakin when he wanted to.
"Therefore, we need to ensure that the future is changed." Windu continued, giving Jack a stern look. "And intensify your training."
Jack blew out a sigh, visibly deflating. More training. Great.
Everything hurt. That was one thing Jack was highly aware of, as his lungs screamed with every shallow breath he took.
He could feel dry, crusted blood cake his skin and robes, but he was more concerned with something else.
Where was he? Was he still in a cell? Was he in a medbay? It was too dark to see.
A door suddenly opened, casting light into the room. Jack realized, with much dread, that he was still prisoner to Count Dooku.
The man strode forward, confidence rolling off him in waves.
"Are you ready to tell me the location of your Master, youngling?" He asked. "I'm sure you must want the pain to stop."
Jack scowled, coughing roughly as his throat strained to help voice words.
"A-As if I'd b-betray m-m-my Master."
The man's eyes narrowed, and Jack felt his blood just about freeze in his veins when a red blade split the dark.
Jack gasped when Dooku lifted it and then stabbed down.
Jack thought that at that point he'd wake up, but...he didn't.
The burning hot blade drove down. Right through Jack's leg.
His senses were lit up with the worst pain in his life.
Jack's eyes snapped open and his back arched with pain. A blood curdling scream destroyed the silence in the air. The force energy that resided in Jack exploded violently outward.
The windows and lights through out the temple shattered.
Alarmed cries rang out from all places within the temple. The door that connected Jack's quarters to Windu's slid open, and the teens teacher rushed in, passing through the mainroom without hesitation, noteven giving the now shattered window a glance as he went into Jack's room.
The teen was writhing as though in pain, and his form shook with fear.
"Jack! Jackson!" Windu exclaimed, trying to stop Jack from struggling. He took the teen's wracking shoulders in a tight grip, pulling him into a sitting position.
"Jackson! It isn't real, you are safe!"
The fog that seemed to block Jack's gaze seemed to vanished, and the teen gasped for air that had left him all too quickly when he'd screamed. Windu could feel his trembling through the silver-grey robes. The hand on his left shoulder rubbed up and down in a soothing gesture.
"Easy there, it is alright, Jack." The man murmured, keeping his gaze steadily locked with Jack's. The youth stared at him with scared eyes for a moment. When he registered that he was safe, he curled closer to his mentor.
Windu continued to sooth him, murmuring comforting words to Jack as the teen took shuddering breaths. A ping sounded in the room, signaling someone outside wanting entry.
Managing to pry the teen's hands off, Windu went to the door and hit the panel, opening it.
Outside stood several jedi, each asking questions. Was Jack alright? What had happened to the lights and windows? What was going on?
Windu shut the door again, cutting out the voices. He turned, going back into Jack's room. The teen had curled up, hugging his knees to his chest. His eyes were squeezed shut, and he still shook. It had been one horrifying nightmare, it seemed.
The brown skinned man carefully gathered up the teen in his arms, once more murmuring soothing words to Jack.
Jack curled up to his mentor, face buried in his chest.
It took awhile, but the youth finally calmed down enough to stop his shaking. Windu took the chance to get up and retrieve something for his padawan to drink.
Jack accepted the offered drink, gulping it down gratefully. The cold liquid soothed his aching, raw throat.
"Are you alright?" Windu asked softly, helping Jack up and guiding him to the sitting room. They both sat on the plush couch, the teen almost glued to his mentors side. Jack shook his head in reply.
"N-no. I...I really don't think I am."
Silence fell for a moment as Jack gazed at the shattered window dazedly. Finally, Windu spoke again.
"Why did you react so violently? What happened in the vision."
Jack shook his head, looking down.
"I...I can't, Master. I can't talk about it. It's just...just too much."
The man didn't push, simply accepting the answerand letting the teen lean into him for support.
They stayed there for the rest of the night, neither able to sleep.
Jack looked at Windu incredulously.
"Vaapad? Master, I don't think I could-"
"If Dooku does find you, then you must know Vaapad. Otherwise, you will stand no chance."
Jack followed his master into the holoprojector room, still staring in shock at his teacher.
"But Vaapad requires the user to enjoy the combat! Master, do you not know me or something?" Jack asked.
Windu gave him a dissaproving look, promising yet another lecture if he continued with the sarcasm. He then replied.
"I'm sure we'll find a way around that. For now, the techniques will have to do."
Jack groaned.
"But Master, there's nothing wrong with Niman!"
"Except that sooner or later, an opponent will get used to your attacks and find a way around them. The more techniques you know, the more you can use, and the more you can randomize your attacks."
"But-"
"Jackson."
Jack knew the tone his mentor used, and he fell silent, sulking slightly.
Windu drew his lightsaber, the purple blade humming with energy. Jack sighed, following his example and igniting his own lightsaber.
The buzz of energy from both blades was the only sound that filled the air as they both lowered into fighting stances. They then lunged at each other.
Strong, fast attacks clashed against one another, sparks flying from the blades. Jack could feel his wrist soon begin to ache fiercely, starting to bend under the powerful attacks of his teacher.
Jumping back, Jack quickly switched his weapon hand, his lightsaber hilt settling in his left palm. He managed it just in time as Windu darted forward, attacking once more.
He gasped when the hilt of his mentor's saber slamed down on his wrist, disarming him. As his lightsaber clattered against the steel floor, Jack's feet were swept out from under him, making him land with a hard thud.
Jack felt the air leave his lungs, but tried to sit up all the same. He stopped when a purple blade hovered above him.
For a long, tense moment, the two remained there, Windu pointing a blade at Jack, the teen breathing harshly and staring at his mentor. Then the man moved, pulling Jack to his feet with a tug on the teen's robe shoulder.
Jack yelped, stumbling a bit before managing to steady himself. He then picked up he saber, checking it over to ensure it wasn't broken in any way.
"Again." Windu said, voice cold and solid.
Jack grimaced, but knew not to argue and instead moved into a fighting stance once more.
Jack sat heavily beside Ahsoka at the their usual table in the mess hall. Anakin, Obiwan and Ahsoka all looked at him, slightly concerned.
"Uh...Are you okay?" Ahsoka asked, leaning forward slightly to see him better.
"Tired..." Jack mumbled in reply, dipping his spoon into his soup bowl.
"What'd Master Windu make you do for training?" Ahsoka asked incredulously as Jack stuck the spoon in his mouth.
"Mmphy mm mrr mmmrr..."
Anakin leaned forward and reached out, pulling the hand that held the spoon back so that the spoon was pulled out.
"What?" The man asked.
Jack sighed.
"Making me learn Vaapad."
Obiwan, who'd just taken a sip of his drink, choked.
"Wh-what?!"
Anakin gave the older man a few firm slaps on the back. While Obiwan coughed, Anakin turned his eyes to Jack.
"Vaapad?! But that doesn't make any sense, you aren't a violent person, you don't enjoy fighting at all!"
"I tried telling Master Windu that, but he didn't let that change his mind." Jack replied with a yawn. "But I think he's just really worried right now, so..."
"Worried?" Ahsoka questioned, brow furrowing.
Jack hummed, nodding in agreement and pointing with his spoon at one of the large windows in the mess hall. It, like most of the other windows, had been shattered the night before. It now was being repaired by several clone soldiers.
"Last night was the worst vision I've had so far. I've never let out a pulse like that before, and I think it might...I think it might just scare him, or at least a little bit."
The other three jedi looked at each other. They had to admit...they were worried too.
Soon, as the others talked, Jack dozed off. His head leaned on the wall that their table was against, and breathed softly. Ahsoka, Anakin and Obiwan debated for a good half-an-hour on whether to wake Jack up or not, and were still trying to decide when Windu approached.
The brown skinned man raised a brow as he took in the sight of his sleeping padawan. He then sighed, carefully picking up the teen and giving a nod of farewell to the other jedi before leaving the mess hall.
He allowed Jack to rest his head on his shoulder, and the youth didn't stir much at all, only curling closer to the warmth that radiated from his mentor. Jack was obviously exhausted.
Entering the password in the keypad on the door to Jack's quarters, Windu entered. He crossed through the mainroom, then entered Jack's bedroom, seting Jack carefully on the bed.
Windu grimaced to himself. He knew he pushed Jack past his limits in their training session, but he wanted Jack prepared if his visions became reality.
He'd rather Jack be tired from training instead of die at the hands of Dooku