For Kyle, this day could have not come soon enough. Today was the day he was about to be promoted from Youngling, to Jedi Padawan. Though he didn't care for the crew cut and the ponytail, the fact he was closer to completing his lifelong ambition was enough for him to make the sacrifice. Sprinting out of bed at the crack of dawn, Kyle made sure he looked nice, brushed his teeth and his breath smelled like fresh mint. When a sudden urge of doubt struck him, he'd venture to the mirror and psyche himself up to face what ever obstacles awaited him. This was Kyle's routine. Quite the departure from the typical Jedi Youngling. For many, they are taught how to respond to similar scenarios through decorum. Only Kyle didn't spend his life in the Jedi Order. Only two of his fourteen year life has been spent within these walls, on the big city planet Coruscant.
He needed to channel the morning energy into something productive, otherwise he would bounce off the walls and look like a lunatic in front of the masters. An idea popped up in his head "Push-ups" he figures will drain his energy, followed by squats, then sit-ups. "I'm the boss" he would repeat to himself, throwing punches at his reflection.
Meanwhile, only a few doors down from Kyle, Ahsoka was equally excited for what today held for the same reasons. Only she handled the scenario with a little more reserve than he did. Don't get her wrong, her mind was race. Her stomach was littered with butterflies. But the Jedi Order in the entirety of her fourteen-year life have instilled a calm, collective demeanor in her that rarely is shaken.
She walks out of her quarters wearing a casual red skirt and tube top that matched her Togruta orange skin. Her white leggings completed her attire, matching her blue and white stripped montrals, hallowed, cone-like horns that sprouted from the top of her skull. Typically, for women of her race they can grow as heigh as 82 feet. Fortunately, Ahsoka's only gave her five extra inches and her lekku went down to her shoulders.
She walked out and to see the only Youngling to still have his door closed was Kyle. Groaning, she marched over and knocked on hard on it assuming he was sleeping. "Wake up, Kyle!" He immediately drops what he's doing a hastily throws on his brown tunic and met her. Ahsoka seen his lean, youthful face still going through the throes of puberty. A pimple near his left eye stood out on his homey Jedi attire.
"Come on, Master Yoda is waiting for us." She tells him, deciding to drag him to class in case his pea sized brain got other ideas.
Master Yoda was in the battlefield today, so a substitute was put in his place. Much to the delight of Ahsoka it was Plo Koon an alien of the Kel Dor race. Initially, Plo Koon freaked Kyle out due to his appearance. His race is unable to survive in oxygen-rich environments, requiring them to wear special breathing masks at all times covering their nostrils and even their eyes. Knowing this, Kyle felt a ping of sympathy for Plo Koon. Must be hell having to live with toxins that could kill you real fast.
"Good morning, class." Plo Koon introduced himself in his deep, thick voice. "Good morning, Master Plo." The class responds. Kyle wondered why everyone was on a first name basis with Plo Koon. He figures it's better to go by "Master Plo" than "Master Koon."
Class went like it usually did. Brief chit chat about the war and the heroics of the Jedi, and of the Clone troopers. Then a meditation session to clear out all thoughts and achieve the potentials of a youthful, alert mind.
Plo Koon thought it's a good idea to try out some lightsaber training. Seeing as the equipment usually gets lost, they had only two remaining. One didn't even light up. But it would have to do. Plo called up two names at a time to start. The winner would face the next opponent in a round-robin type situation. The first name he calls is Ahsoka. "Have you been practicing?" He asks her and the second student he called up. She was a year younger than Tano. A human named Asuka.
Kyle turns to his classmate on the opposite side, sneering quietly. "Practice? I'm supposed to be the Chosen One and I'm hearing about practice?" Kyle frequently pretended to be other Jedi to garner a laugh from his peers. His favorite one to riff on was Anakin Skywalker; the actual Chosen One destined to destroy the Sith once and for all. The kid must've laughed too loud because Plo Koon leered at Kyle. The boy sheepishly stops talking and folds his hands.
"Sorry" Keyon says. "It was just really funny." Kyle sighs, replying all is forgiven when he is in fact still seething.
Ahsoka ran through the gauntlet, exuding her lightsaber skills that were vastly superior to the rest of the class. Though her ability to concentrate on the Force was limited, her aggression made the Jedi believe in her potential. "She's cutting through them." Keyon notes. Obviously not really. Training lightsabers are made of plastic. At worst you could get a bump on the head followed by a headache. "You think you can beat her?"
Kyle scoffs. "Of course I can!" Keyon was next. It seemed only Kyle was itching to see Ahsoka knocked off her pedestal. The Younglings who lost always shook Tano's hand, those watching gave a respectful clap. Kyle sat idle waiting for his shot to assert himself.
In a couple of minutes, Keyon had lost. But it was no skin off his back. They bowed and Plo Koon praises them for their maturity before calling on Kyle.
Ahsoka held her lightsaber in a backhanded single style in the form of Artaru, a wild and wholly offensive means of dueling. Ahsoka made it look like a million credits. To combat this, Kyle's spent weeks practicing the defensive mined style of Soresu (Obi-Wan Kenobi's form).
Kyle held his ground, withstanding the barrage of Ahsoka's attacks. He even managed to pull off an over the shoulder flip to set himself up for what he thought would be the win. But Ahsoka recovered for the quick block and was given breathing space. Kyle muttered an ugly word under his breath. He thought that was it. Letting his aggression get the best of him, Kyle got too greedy and went for an over the head strike, allowing Tano to sidestep and "stab" him in the abdomen. He rolls his eyes. At the risk of looking unpopular, he does Ahsoka the same courtesy the others did - though he wasn't happy about it.
"You did good." Keyon said in a vain attempt to life Kyle's spirits.
"I had her, K. I had her." He smacks his leg.
"Why is it so important to you that you win?" He asks.
"Because I-... forget it." Kyle just wanted to move on. This was the third time Ahsoka and him sparred, he never came out victorious.
Master Plo Koon began informing the class who'll be promoted to Jedi Padawan and who'll they be assigned to. Rumors circulated the great Skywalker was interesting in tutoring. The very idea made Kyle burst. Keyon admitted out of all the Jedi Skywalker had the best adventures.
"Can you imagine?" Keyon asks. Kyle nods with a lustful smile. "A new medal every week. That's the life." Kyle adds.
"You think he picked either of us?" He asks.
"Who picked who?" Ahsoka returned and elbowed her way into the conversation.
"Anakin Skywalker might take one of us as his apprentice." Kyle answers. The rest of the class couldn't contain themselves. Inane chatter and speculation ensued. "It's not a well kept secret." Kyle dissects.
"A Master is a Master. It shouldn't matter who it is you're taught by. As long as they're capable." Ahsoka reminds everyone, when in reality she was just on edge as everyone else.
"Yeah, right." Kyle rolls his eyes. "I heard theres three Jedi Masters on Christophsis."
Master Plo Koon returned with an urgent message from Master Yoda soon after. Apparently whomever was fortunate enough to be granted Padawan status would be thrown into the fires of The Clone War immediately. The main province of Christophsis burns at the hands of the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic needed an extra hand to put out the fire and repel the advancing droid army. But Yoda wished for the Jedi to return to Coruscant to handle a more pressing matter he'll disclose to them once back in friendly territory.
"That's where Skywalker is stationed." Kyle says breathlessly to himself. One of his best abilities is to eavesdrop and not get caught. Knowing Skywalker, he'd likely remain on Christophsis until the job is done.
"And Obi-Wan too. He's also looking for an apprentice." Keyon added. Kyle wouldn't mind being Kenobi's apprentice. The workload might be tough, but the reward is worth it. Just look at the accolades Anakin achieved.
"Ahsoka Tano, Master Yoda has requested you go to Christophsis." The air went out of Kyle's ego like a balloon meeting a sharp needle. How could have he gotten passed up? He worked hard and played nice with others. What more do the Jedi want? He slumped in his chair and watched the Togruta accept the honor of Padawan to the Chosen One - or at least the Jedi who trained him. Then, Plo Koon had something else to say and demanded everyone's attention once more. Already having checked out, Kyle looked away.
"Kyle Izzo, you are also requested to accompany Tano to Christophsis." It took the boy a while to hear what had been said. Plo Koon added, Kyle in fact did get promoted to Padawan and his master would be Bartholomew Hennig. a Jedi he knew little about. Keyon needed to nudge him to let him know his dreams have come true. Kyle looks around the class to see whether this was a sick trick being played on him. It wasn't. Suppressing a grin he followed Plo Koon to the hanger bay.
"Master, if I may ask, why us? If the matter is so pressing why not send a Jedi envoy?" Ahsoka asks. The question bounced around Kyle's head too, but he wasn't about to let his dreams be ruined by logic. He almost snapped and told Ahsoka to shut up.
"Experience is the best teacher." Plo Koon answers.
Their freighter flew from the friendly confines of republic territory and into the teeth of the enemy. Kyle went from bubbling with enthusiasm to on edge. Meanwhile, Ahsoka took the time to meditate. Kyle knew she wasn't a pacifist by any stretch, describing her as a "shoot from the hip" kind of person on more than one occasion. It did say a lot about how he was letting his nerves get the best of him when Ahsoka looked infinitely calmer than he did.
"A simple nap would calm you down." Kyle decided to bother and take her out of her concentration.
"Napping doesn't help me get in-tuned with the Force." She tells him, trying to continue her meditation session.
"No. But you feel better afterwards. Groggy, but better." He replies half-heartedly.
"It's probably recommended you don't show up to a battle groggy." She retorts. Kyle shrugs. Deciding to try and imitate his fellow Padawan, sat next to her and closed his eyes.
"I'm not seeing anything." He says after a few seconds. Ahsoka groans.
"Don't you listen when Master Yoda talks?" She nags. Kyle again shrugs innocently. Truth be told, he does. Or at least he tries to. An awful lot of the common knowledge of the Jedi and their ways goes over his head. "Just sit down, quiet your mind and breathe." She instructs. Kyle does this and after while he begins to feel drowsy. After a minute he begins to snore, Ahsoka flicks his nose to wake up him. "How did you get this far?" She asks, meaning to say it internally, but instead letting it be known how she feels.
"Master Yoda always said I had the most potential and best instincts." He explains.
"Well, I guess we'll find out if that's true."
(Scene break)
They landed just in time to introduce themselves to the two Jedi generals, the legendary Skywalker and his Master Obi-Wan. Ahsoka was able to keep her excitement quelled internally. Kyle needed a minute to catch his breath. "Are you okay?" She asks.
"I'm fine. Just... scared." He confesses, knowing such an emotion is a surefire way to end up on the other side.
"Don't be. They won't bite." She teases.
"I know that!" Kyle replies, knowing this made him sound childish. Walking up to introduce themselves the two legendary Jedi, Kyle's tongue remained tied.
"My name is Ahsoka Tano, I've been assigned to tell you Master Yoda requests your presence back at the Jedi Temple." She stares at Kyle, gesturing him to introduce himself before the window closes.
"And I'm Kyle Izzo. I've been assigned to Jedi Master Bartholomew Hennig." The Jedi look at each other awkwardly.
"We're sorry, young one" Obi-Wan joylessly begins explaining "But Master Hennig died yesterday. I'm afraid you're without a teacher." Crestfallen, Kyle doesn't have a way to respond to the news. This whole day's been a rollercoaster ride.
"Ahsoka is it? My name is Obi-Wan Kenobi and I am your Master." Ahsoka looked at the older Jedi quizzically.
"I'm at your service Master Kenobi, but I've been assigned to Master Skywalker." From crestfallen to now having to pick his jaw off the floor, Kyle couldn't believe the sudden luck of one certain Togruta and how he lacked it.
"You gotta be kidding?" Kyle said to himself. Anakin seemingly had a similar view of the situation.
"What?!" His eyes widen. "No. No. No. There's been a mistake. Obi-Wan is the one who asked for a Padawan." The way Anakin says it makes Kyle think ordering a Padawan is no different than ordering out for dinner.
"Master Skywalker, don't you know Master Yoda's been prepping to give you a protege for more than a week?" Kyle enlightens the confused Jedi, only making him more befuddled and borderline furious.
"What? I was never told this. Does he even know we're in trouble?" He declares. Taking a deep breath, Skywalker slowed down. "Alright. This is all one big misunderstanding. We have bigger fish to fry right now. We aren't leaving Christophsis until it is save." He briefs the unofficial Padawan learners.
"Perhaps they could help us?" Kenobi offers, either as a way to give the young kids a shot or just to annoy Skywalker a little more.
"This is serious, Obi-Wan. We are in desperate need of reinforcements that came in the form of two Younglings-"
"Hey!" Kyle and Ahsoka bellow simultaneously.
"And in any minute an army of battle droids could march right here and overwhelm us."
"I know our situation, Anakin. We'll have to make due with what we have." Obi-Wan calmly declares. "We've repelled two waves since taking the city, we can handle a third." He adds confidently.
"So what do you propose we do?" Anakin asks.
"The Confederates are trying to past our shields and neutralize our artillery. Me, Captain Rex and the 501st Legion will defend the heavy cannons. You and Ahsoka will infiltrate the C.I.S shields on their side and destroy their generator." Obi-Wan maps out.
"Any idea how we'll accomplish all of this?" Anakin crosses his arms. This all sounded good to him, only the crucial middle part was missing.
"Why don't you just pretend to surrender, that'll buy you time and set up an ambush?" Kyle chimes in, somewhat sarcastically.
"They're droids so they'll only advance." Kenobi answers. Kyle speaks up, only with more confidence this time.
"Actually, I've heard the battle droids on Christophsis are being controlled by a professor from the War College. If you were to flatter him, Mr. Kenobi I bet it would buy us some time."
Obi-Wan liked this idea, Anakin and Ahsoka had their reservations.
"You can't be seriously considering this." Anakin derides the plan as foolhardy and too simplistic to work. Kenobi flashed a noticeably grin. He liked the cut of Kyle's jib.
"We're low on manpower, it's worth a shot." Kenobi was willing to think out the box.
Anakin meanwhile had to hide inside of one to infiltrate the roaming Confederate shield marching towards them set to destroy their heavy cannons.
"So what do I do?" Kyle asks. He assumed he'd accompany Anakin on his part of the mission, as Ahsoka was tagging along as well.
"You're staying on the ship." Anakin and Obi-Wan agreed one inexperienced hand on this mission is far too many. Kyle wanted to protest, but knew his words meant little. He slinks backwards towards the ship. "Little one!" Anakin calls out to Kyle, thinking he'll have something to do after all he turns around with a brightened expression. "Contact Master Yoda and tell him we need reinforcements." Well, at least Kyle couldn't say he wasn't doing anything at all.
Kyle muttered curse words on the way back to the ship when a rocket landed and smashed the ship to smithereens, tossing Kyle substantially back from where he intended to be. Picking himself up he wasn't hurt in any serious manner. A couple of bumps and bruises didn't hurt anyone. The main problem is how is he to contact Master Yoda.
"Hey, uh... Clone!" Kyle struggled to find the politically correct terminology to address the soldiers.
"Name is Blackjack." He corrects the kid.
"Oh, like the card game?" Kyle asks.
"No." Was all he said in return. After a brief silence, Kyle resumed talking.
"I need to contact Master Yoda, is their a communications port anywhere?"
"Only one is up there atop that building." Blackjack points a modestly sized 55 story building in partial, but noticeable decay from the storms it's been forced to weather.
"Thanks." Kyle is about to leave himself when Blackjack stops him.
"Whoa, kid you can't be serious going in there alone. Clankers could be swarming the place." He warns.
"Aren't you needed on the front lines?" Kyle asks sincerely. "With all due respect, sergeant." Kyle notices the three pronged downwards pointing arrow on the Clones armor.
"It seems we're cut off from the rest of the personnel, Commander." Blackjack confesses.
"Commander?" Kyle doesn't remember being given a title.
"Typically a Jedi Knight is the general for these battles, a Youngling-"
"Padawan!" Kyle corrects.
"Serves as a commander."
"Well, I'm not familiar with this situation enough to lead it. So how about you play the role of commander. Imma head up that building and get you some reinforcements." Kyle pretends to Knight the clone by tapping both his shoulders.
"We're here to help you, sir." Blackjack reminds Kyle.
"Oh, well, umm... in that case let's go." He shrugs as they march onward.
(Scene break)
Meanwhile, Skywalker and his new apprentice hid under boxes to infiltrate the Confederates shield. Ahsoka whispered her reservations on the plan to Skywalker. "This isn't a good plan. We should fight."
"Jedi don't always fight." Anakin cautions.
"No, but soldiers do." She retorts.
"Just keep quiet. We'll scurry past the droids and start placing explosives around the generator. From then on it's smooth sailing." He assures her.
"If I stick with you I guess I'll learn all the tricks of the trade?" Ahsoka comments lightly.
"Of course, Youngling." He continues to taunt in a amiable manner.
"Quit calling me that!"
"Go!" Anakin repeats, his voice hoarded from many heated days on the battlefield. "Hurry up, Ahsoka!" She was busy planting the charges. Skywalker knew he should have been the one to handle that part.
(Scene break)
Prior to entering the building, Kyle saw Kenobi making chitchat with the supreme commander of the Confederates. His suggestion seems to be going off without a hitch, buying them necessary time.
"Should we help them, sir?" Blackjack asks. Kyle shakes his head.
"No. We stick to the plan. And quit calling me sir!"
"A droideka!" Blackjack warns. They are able to take cover in time. "We won't be able to break its shields, fall back!" Kyle thinks for a moment.
"Hand me those charges on your belt." He orders Blackjack. He obliged and Kyle dashed into the open fire zigging and zagging from danger, dropping his body to perform a slide and slowly slide a grenade inside its shield. It malfunctions and falls over like a pile of tin cans.
"Let's move!" Kyle stood triumphantly. The growing sounds of gunfire reminded him this wasn't the time to celebrate.
"The elevator shafts aren't working, we'll have to use the stairs." Blackjack informs Kyle.
"Wonderful. The old fashioned way." Kyle moans. "Nope that armor isn't too heavy for you guys." Finding little success with his lightsaber, Kyle broke and demanded he be provided a blaster.
"Ah, perfect." He instantly kills two super battle droids and reloads like it was his morning routine. "My time to shine." He quips loudly.
They finally made it to the top - and just in time too. Things were getting contentious between Kenobi and the commander. Half of the Confederates shields were down, so Anakin and Ahsoka's part of the plan somewhat worked.
"Oh, boy." Kyle gulps with a dry throat.
"What?" Blackjack asks.
"Oh, nothing." What Kyle would have said if he was in a position to be honest was he didn't know how he'd fair with so much riding on him. His hands were already clamming up. Fiddling with the wires, Kyle and Blackjack were able to form suitable communications with Master Yoda. When they seen his little green image Kyle nearly lost a lung using so much air to beg for assistance.
"We need help, now!" In what seemed like only a minute star fighters and troop transport ships littered the skies, picking off enemy soldiers on the ground with ease. Kyle couldn't help but fist pump the air.
"Yeah! That's what I'm talking about!" His youthful expression amused the Clones a little bit, until they realized they're livelihoods are in the hands of a teenager then they weren't so amused.
"We should probably get down." Blackjack advises Kyle.
"Huh? Oh yeah, good call. Hey, thanks Blackjack." He turns to the surviving soldiers. "Thank you all, you guys nailed it. Drinks on me!" He couldn't wipe off his grin even if his tried.
Back on the ground, the reinforcements made quick work of the battle droids with such efficiency it left Kyle standing in awe. While the Jedi Knights discussed amongst themselves, Ahsoka saw Kyle and they rushed to each other eager to tell their own stories of heroism.
"Did you see that?" Kyle couldn't believe any of what he just accomplished.
"I saw it, I thought you died in the blast!" Ahsoka confesses.
"I was worried the droids would overwhelm you and Skywalker." He returns her concern with his wellbeing with his own for her. "You and Skywalker managed to sneak into the teeth of the droid army." He stated they obvious, aware he must've sounded silly to everyone. A part of him wished he and Ahsoka had switched responsibilities.
They talked over each other, making sure to shower the other with praise to let them continue blathering about their escapades. Never did either of them experience such a surge of adrenaline.
"I can't believe we just did that. Did we just do that?" Kyle chuckles.
"I think we just did."
Soon the Jedi requested the Padawans shape up and appear before them. "There's been a lot of confusion pertaining to your statuses" Obi-Wan begins, Master Yoda finishes.
"Master Skywalker, able to take Tano as your Padawan are you?" He asks. Without hesitation Skywalker insists he is able to and will. A rush of appreciation towards Skywalker fills Ahsoka. Kyle feels somewhat bitter, but overall is happy for her.
"Congratulations." He lightly elbows her.
"Padawan Izzo." Yoda calls him. Kyle hated when his last name was used. It made him sound like a clown from the circus. "Due to Hennig's death, unable to assign for training I am." Kyle's self confidence went right back into the toilet. What more could've he done? He handled himself with poise in the face of clear and present danger. He saved the day for crying out loud.
"I'm sorry, Kyle. You helped us a lot, but going to have to head back to the Jedi Temple with Master Yoda." Obi-Wan informs Kyle.
"Keep your head up kid. You did good. Couldn't have won this battle without you." Anakin compliments, showing a softer side to him Kyle has yet to have seen since meeting him.
"We'll see each other at the temple once my mission is finished." Ahsoka adds. It made Kyle feel wanted to hear all this sincere talk. He boarded the transport and waived goodbye. Sad he wouldn't be tagging along for the future adventures of his idols Obi-Wan and Skywalker, and his friend Ahsoka. But happy to have earned their respect.