Returning to the Jedi Temple news of Kyle's contribution to the historic Clone War was a topic of conversation amongst his peers. Kyle was quite proud of himself. Though he did wish he was back with the gang right now. The fact the life he's always wanted was attainable for a mere second before being painfully slapped away was the most painful.

Upon arrival, Kyle realized he twisted an ankle. His left one to be exact. Unable to apply pressure on it, he limps around until arriving to his quarters. He was getting stopped every minute or so by his peers. "What was it like in the battlefield?" Kyle was frequently asked. Or "Is Anakin Skywalker as heroic as the stories suggest?" The Jedi have their fans. Apparently Skywalker was the number one celebrity for the younger generation, sharing Kyle's admiration in the same authority figures.

"Is it true Ahsoka is now Skywalker's apprentice?" Asuka appeared in front of Kyle filled with questions. Coincidently, no one ever asked about what Kyle did on the mission. Only about the other participants.

"Sure is." He replies. "They are on the next leg of their mission as we speak." Since Kyle wasn't involved he wasn't briefed about what was next on the docket for the Jedi. Rumor has it Jabba The Hutts son has been kidnapped and the Jedi must find him before the Confederates to curry necessary favor in the war. If so, they are in a race against time with the outcome of the largest Galactic Civil War in the balance.

"Why aren't you with them." Deciding it was better to lie than admit he was merely there because of an error, Kyle cited an injured ankle and "lots" of internal bleeding as why he was sent back to the Jedi Temple. Asuka was nice and offered Kyle a sparring session just for fun. The idea tempted Kyle. Asuka was another one of his peers he never beat. But he was very tired and wanted to rest. It was daylight outside, surely he was to throw off his sleep cycle if he were to rest now. But he didn't care. He earned a little reward for his efforts.

Taking off his boots Kyle mentally complained at how heavy the footwear is and how it squeezes his upper two-thirds of his leg; or the tibialis anterior, as it's referred to as in the medical field.

His leg is swollen and in need of elevation. He wonders if Jedi deal with this types of injuries regularly. Probably not, as Kyle is a special case being the least athletic of the Jedi he can only use his body to jump higher than the average individual and imitate the super kick he saw a wrestler do one time when he was a child. Outside of that, he was an ordinary, practical Jedi in training.

Despite the self-confidence boosting his recent accomplishment would inspire, Kyle found himself dreaming about failure. The scenario on Christophsis replaying itself only his suggestion gets Kenobi killed. The Confederates run rough shot over the opposition and take over the province. To make matters worse, his near brush with deaths in reality are heightened in their fictional portrayal. In one instance, the blast from the ship's explosion causes him to lose a limb. A sudden inability to breathe heightened his anxiety. He couldn't speak or properly hear anyone for that matter.

He woke himself up in the middle of the night in the midst of terror, sweating profusely and unable to breath properly. He didn't know why so much self-doubt plagues him. All he knows is he needs to clean himself up and head back to sleep. Heaven knows what awaits him tomorrow.

The next day, his leg was feeling better thankfully. Though he believed the standard Jedi field boot for times of war didn't suffice for him to wear while not on duty. Fortunately, Kyle had a pair of sneakers laying around his cramped closet space. The label on the sole of the shoe says "Badger" after the animal. Which is odd considering the shoes rugged exterior shares little resemblance to the creature and there isn't a spec of fur on the inside. Needles to say, it was still comfortable and featured a built-in steel protection plate to keep his toes save. It cannot be pierced by any sharp object it comes into contact with. Only problem was they are brown like dirt. The ugliest color imaginable. Of course, Kyle gets it.

(Scene break)

Tera Grant stood around six feet, her long dark grey hair tied neatly in a braid adding an aura of distinguishability to go along with her long and accomplished Jedi career. Entering her fifties, Tera knew what times of peace and times of war looked like.

Tera was called to sit in on a Jedi Council meeting. She once held a seat on the council once upon a time. But a string of events made her step away. She once quipped to Mace Windu "thirteen is an unlucky number" kiddingly citing childish superstition for her departure.

Today, only four Jedi appeared on the council. Only Master Yoda was there in physical form. The others who showed up were in the middle of commanding their respective campaigns and are on borrowed time. Reconnaissance informed Galactic Republic leadership of a likely Confederate strike against the Cloning facility on the planet Kamino. Prime Minister Lama Su confirmed the threat as legitimate and requested additional manpower to defend the most crucial base in the Galactic Republic.

"There's no telling the chaos that'll unfold if we lose this system." Windu doesn't mince words. "The margin of error is nonexistent. That's why I and Master Grant will be leading the command to defend the facility." Tera agreed and accepted her post.

"I usually work with Commander Cody and his 212th battalion." She suggested to the council he is a good choice for a on the ground strategist for this mission.

"His battalion is known for attacking, not defending." Windu reminded everyone.

"We spent almost the entirety of this war on the offensive. Captain Rex is preoccupied with Skywalker at the moment. Cody is the most experienced soldier we have."

"Very well." Windu allowed Tera to have her right hand man assist them. The meeting moved on to albeit less pressing matters, but nothing that couldn't be dealt with in a few minutes. Master Yoda requested the councilmen leave so he could talk to Master Grant alone.

"Watching the Younglings have you?" Yoda asks. Tera nods. "Short on Jedi Knights we are, in need to train the second generation before they are too old and green for battle."

"I agree." Tera said, wondering where Yoda was going with this.

"A boy there is, very nice, powerful and showed himself ready for an apprenticeship."

"With all due respect, I think a Padawan shouldn't be our main concern at this time." Tera tries to steer the conversation away from where she suspected it was heading.

"Necessary for all Jedi a trial by fire is." He hums. "Kyle Izzo his name is, he will assist you on your mission to Kamino. Yes."

"Is Master Windu okay with this?" She's skeptical such a straight laced Jedi would think a Padawan would be anything other than a hinderance to achieving their goal.

"Some convincing it took, my way he eventually seen." Reluctantly, Tera accepted his responsibility. It's been over a decade since she last had a Padawan. It was a good run. The sudden responsibility of her now being a teacher is similar to losing a limb, in her mind.

(Scene Break)

Keyon pestered Kyle to show off the lightsaber techniques he used during the battle of Christophsis. Unaware Kyle forwent the Jedi weapon for the traditional blaster. He didn't want to tell him that. He enjoyed the praise he was receiving.

"Come on, quit beading around the bush. Tell me!" Keyon basically demanded.

"Uhh" Kyle stammers. He ignited his weapon. "Just simple technique. Stuff Master Yoda's been instilling into us for years." He hopes Keyon wouldn't see through his act. He probably did. But Kyle didn't want to admit to being the first Jedi to opt for a weapon notoriously known for being ineffective against their kind.

Thankfully, Master Grant intervened before Kyle could potentially make a mess of himself. "Padawan Izzo" Kyle's head turns towards the sound.

"No." He sighs. "I'm just Youngling Izzo now. My Master died before I could even meet him."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Tera's expression softened. "But I'm here to tell you I've just been assigned to to teach you. Hopefully I'll last longer than-" She stopped herself. The tone-deafness shocking even the socially awkward teen.

"Oh? Well, that's great! It'll an honor to learn from you." Kyle vigorously shakes her hand. "You won't regret this. I'll be the best choice you ever make." He promises.

"Pack your things, you'll be accompanying me and Master Windu to Kamino." She walked away, leaving Kyle to celebrate with himself. Keyon looked a little despondent.

"What?" He notices his dark demeanor forming.

"I've heard about Master Grant, she could be a real spirit breaker. Everything you say Skywalker is, she is the exact opposite. You'll have your work cut out for yourself." Kyle didn't believe what Keyon was saying. Replying nothing is given in this universe, only earned.

"At least three Younglings rejected her as a Master. She hasn't tutored one in nearly a decade. She's bad news, Kyle." He warns.

"Regardless, I'm stuck with her. I'm in no place to bargain. Certainly not in wartime." Keyon shrugs.

"Suit yourself, don't say I didn't warn you."

(Scene break)

In less than an hour Kyle was en route to his second mission. This time there wasn't to be any complications. He was meant to be here. Admittedly, he was timid and kept to himself during the trip. Giving only one or two word responses when asked a question.

"You're scared?" Tera asks. Kyle didn't want to hear about how fear is a surefire path leading to the dark side, so he shook his head, but was unable to speak.

"It's normal to be scared, kid. You'll be fine. I got your back." She promises. "I was petrified during my first mission. Nearly got my Master killed." She chuckles reminiscing on her youth.

Kyle didn't get a whole lot to do once on Kamino. Tera talked to Windu most of the time, and when she wasn't talking to him the Prime Minister took up the rest of her time. He did get a tour of the Cloning facilities and he never felt so... creeped out by the process. Men after men of similar appearances walked out of a machine emotionless, seemingly staring at nothing ready to fight for the Galactic Republic on a moments notice. Could they even think for themselves? Kyle didn't know and was too unsettled to ask. One things for sure, he wouldn't look at the Clones the same way ever again.

"It's been too long. You think this is just a ploy to distract the Jedi and leave our defenses somewhere else open for attack?" Tera theorizes with Windu.

"Our intelligence has never steered us wrong." Windu assures her. "Nothing is more important than defending this base." Windu had his doubts, even through his steely stoic expression Tera could tell.

"A little on edge, Mace?" She verbally jabbed.

"Could you take this a little more seriously?" He demands.

"What? You don't like a little humor to brighten the mood? You used to do that all the time when we were younger." She gives Mace the eye.

"We were kids, now we're adults." He explains to her patronizingly.

"Oh, really i didn't know time moved forward." She gasps. Kyle thought to himself how similar of a quipster his Master is. He could tell she acts like this for the same reason he does: boredom.

(Scene break)

Everything has fallen into place. Their sights set on the most crucial areas of the Kamino base. Cannons locked and loaded. "Is everything ready?" The elder Sith Lord Count Dooku asks his personal assassin Asajj Ventress. He's been growing impatient. Ventress also wasn't one for patience. But if this was to be her moment, everything absolutely had to be right before the bell.

"Yes, my Master." She says calmly.

"Good. Leave no survivors." A tall order for the assassin to complete, luckily for him Ventress lived to exceed expectations.

"3...2...1"

A blue bolt escapes the dark storm clouds surrounding Kamino, striking the eastern wing of the facility. The second blast on the same target sank the wing right into the bottomless sea.

On the opposite side, General Grievous commanded a respectable fleet contesting entry into Kamino against Admiral Wullf Yularen. A lack of ace starfighter pilots allowed the robotic warrior to break through the blockade with relative ease. The heat was one, and Grievous smelled the blood in the water and deployed a set of aqua droids to work on tearing down the support of the facility from right under the republic's nose.

Kyle wanted to help. He saw the distress in the eyes of the Jedi Masters. The Clones quickly looked for their weapons, hastily putting on their armor to face the music. "Windu, take the west wing and I'll handle the south. Kyle!" He stands at attention, alert to hear his task. "Head to the east wing and help Blackjack save the survivors of the blast." Tera ordered, muttering under her breath "If they are any."

The emergency lights were already turned on when Kyle reaches the eastern wing. He could barely make out the physical figures in the red light consuming everything. Kyle helped drag the Clones fortunate enough to survive to safety. Every time he believed the action was dying down, a blast would remind him its far from over.

(Scene break)

"We need medical supplies!" Blackjack orders Kyle to get some. The kid starts a mad dash to the medical ward, not before demanding Blackjack again loan him his blaster. Kyle's balance being compromised with each subsequent blast. "Oh, no. The droids are already inside!"

Blackjack saw the mix of disheveled and dismembered limbs and nearly lost his lunch. He's seen plenty of battles, none this bloody. It all happens so fast. When he addresses one problem, another one quickly arises out of thin air. It was clear this battle couldn't be about repealing the enemy force. It was keeping what ever they had left intact from being loss.

His heart sank at the familiar sound of a lightsaber igniting cutting through the chilling air. He ordered the able men to fire, of course this did little to deter her, cutting through the soldiers armor like butter meeting a hot knife they stood no chance of survival. Blackjack met his end at her blade in a vain to save his brothers'. She didn't pay him any mind. Just another cold blooded murder for the galaxy's greatest assassin.

Ventress knew there was a bigger picture that needed her attention. But the great start emboldened her to up the ante. Grievous wasn't making his presence known in this battle, remaining on his command ship. Dooku ordered him to remain in his position, giving Ventress the green light to hit the ground. Two Jedi Masters stood in her way. Both of whom she never fought before. Oh, this'll be good. One for the ages. She nearly drooled the proposition was so delicious to her.

Kyle confronted the infiltrated force of droid soldiers eager to capitalize on their spectacular beginning. "Come on and gimme a test!" He bellows from the top of his lungs as he mows them down with ease.

"Oh, child be carful what you wish for." A devilishly motherly voice stopped him right in his tracks. A hairless, grey skinned woman walks into his line of sight. "A boy? Two of the order's best Jedi are near proximity to me and I run into an unskilled Youngling?" She feigns disinterest. In reality, she looked at Kyle as a tuneup for the bigger obstacles.

"I just want to rescue my men and give them medical supplies." Kyle knew he was no match for Ventress. He's heard the stories. She was considerable above his level. "You have bigger fish to fry. It's better if we go our separate ways."

The sight of a Jedi actually bargaining while she surrounded their base amused her to no end. "You're more respectable than the other brats I run into around your age. However, I must inform you that your men are already beyond saving." She titters.

"What do you mean?" Kyle was afraid to ask, but couldn't help himself. Ventress throws Blackjack's green stripped helmet at Kyle's feet.

"Need I say more?" She asks nonchalantly.

"No" Kyle sighs. "You don't." He then ignites his weapon, readying himself.

"Oh, now you want to fight?" Ventress continues to tease.

"We're beyond compromising now." He tells her.

Ventress wanted to make quick work of Kyle, she also wanted to take this time to experiment with some new tricks she's been working on. Kyle had to admit he wasn't expecting Ventress to be so agile. She flew from space to space, practically bouncing off the walls. Kyle ducked and rolled away from her innovative slashing attacks, and actually managed to land a Force Push on Ventress to get himself some breathing space.

Ventress then turned up the heat. Backing Kyle down until he lost his footing and slipped. He thought fast and bull rushed her before she could pierce his back with his lightsaber. He could feel his right shoulder shatter and is still burned severely, he cradled it with his hand. Looking to pick up where she left off, Ventress' strike is interrupted by a blue lightsaber clashing with her red one. "Picking on children, Ventress, have you no shame?" Tera chastises. "Or do you think you won't be able to handle a real challenge?"

Ventress growls and goes on the offensive. Her advantage of wielding twin sabers is neutralized by Tera's excellence in using her double-bladed lightsaber. "Get her, Tera!" Kyle says to himself.

But soon Ventress looked to be gaining the upper hand on her also. Parrying Tera's stabbing attempt by breaking her lightsaber in half. Eager to take advantage Ventress wasn't willing to let this opportunity slip. "Now you die, Jedi!" Thinking fast, Kyle scurries to his feet and delivers a swift kick to her chin with all he had. He crumbles to the floor wallowing in pain, clutching his separated shoulder as if it was on the verge of falling off. Tera regains her senses and sees Ventress is subdued. The kick rattled her skull and brought her to a screeching halt. They could apprehend her for questioning.

"Are you okay?" She rushes to check on Kyle. He shakes his head.

He shakes his head, but gives her an innocent little smile. He survived another close encounter with death off of shear luck. He knew this. Eventually, his luck would run out.