I have used a jumpchain, a jumpchain supplement and two CYOAs. Will show the KOTOR Jumpchain, Body Mod Jumpchain Supplement, Build a Lightsaber CYOA in the next chapter. Then will show the last CYOA later in the fic if I can get there.
"Master, I have a bad feeling about this," I said to Master Zesh, unease grew within my stomach as we stepped onto the planet of Korriban. The Dreshdae settlement was a hive of scum and villainy that one wondered why anyone would live there. Especially on a planet that breathed the Dark Side of the Force.
That wasn't the only reason why I felt that unease. I remembered Korriban from a lifetime ago. Well not fully. My life before was, mostly, forgotten with the broad strokes of the Star Wars universe being the only memories that were clear as day: Revan, Malak, The Force, Skywalker, Sidious, Vitiate, Light Side, Dark Side, Korriban, Tython, Coruscant etc. The words carried feelings with them, some were good and trustworthy, some were not and full of anger - with a hint of wanting to stay away from them, and otters were neutral but gave a basic understanding. Despite their many flaws, I knew that the Jedi wanted despite their many, many, flaws did want to help make the galaxy a better place at the core of their philosophy. The problem is that the Jedi can become arrogant and will stagnate, leading to inaction, extremism, and the inability to take the blame. However, when the Jedi are led by the ideal Jedi, like Luke Skywalker from what I remember, was a much better fit as Jedi Grandmaster.
The Sith just wanted to destroy due to the Dark Side's inherent corruptive nature. Like a drug, too much use and you'll destroy yourself.
My Master, Asaak Zesh, a Togruta with intricate grey birthmarks on his face, grey also circled his montrals and lekku. I knew they weren't actually grey but that is what I saw. His face showed a long life, wrinkles and eyes that were filled with an outside calm that I didn't even attempt when the two of us left our respective starfighters.
"Nonsense, my young Padawan." Master Zesh said with cold confidence or was it arrogance? Most of my second life at the time was filled with discipline and always followed my Master's orders. Maybe if more of my previous self survived, I would be more argumentative against my Master - unfortunately, most of my personality was gone. With only flashes of my detail-oriented mind sticking to the new one alongside the words.
"Now." Master Zesh said, looking around the spaceport. "After we have paid the fee we'll need to scout the area to see if anyone has spotted anyone suspicious." Someone came over, a green Twi'lek, middle-aged if the slight wrinkles around the eyes were any indication.
"Ah, how can I help you with Master Jedi?" The Twi'lek asked, eyeing us up.
"Yes, we're just hoping to scout around. Making sure that there weren't any more Mandalorian raiders starting trouble." Master Zesh with a rigid smile, when the alien's eyes turned to me however, his eyes widened and a fierce weirdness grew within them.
The Twi'lek blinked. "Oh." He said in confusion. "I don't believe I've seen any Mandalorians in Dreshdae."
Master Zesh nodded robotically. "Maybe, but smugglers do exist and these monsters could be gathering to start another raid on this colony."
The Twi'lek now sweating at the thought of the warrior race rampaging, swiftly nodded his head. "Y-Yeah, I-I'll let you g-g-get on with it!" He took a breath to compose himself. The feeling of terror was high within the man, I figured he must have been a victim of the Mandalorian Wars. "The fee to the dock is twenty-five credits each."
Master Zesh nodded and gave the man his payment, paying for both of us. "Come along Padawan."
I followed, though one question did pop in my mind.
"Mandalorians, Master?" I didn't know that Mandalorians came to Korriban but I trusted Master Zesh's direction and guidance.
"The Mandalorians weren't all defeated at Malachor V, some have splintered off and fell into hiding." Just as we were about to leave the spaceport, Master Zesh turned to face me with a stern look. I didn't know why Master Zesh was always cautious around me like I would just start acting like a wild animal. At the time, maybe I should have seen the origin of my Master's distant and professional attitude, but I just wanted to please him.
To be a good Jedi.
The two of us then entered Dresdae properly, the colony wasn't anything more than a collection of warehouses, homes and a singular cantina. The two of us stood out like drops of white in a deep, dark void. Master wearing nothing but the robes of the Jedi Order. While I, maybe scared of dying deep down, wearing an armoured version of the typical Jedi robes: bracers, greaves, a type of spaulder that leaves the area where my torso and arm connected to still give me complete free range of movement, and finally some plates around my front and back torso.
I needed to have free range due to my choice of lightsaber and lightsaber form.
The two of us entered the cantina, the few people who were inside having drinks, playing Pazaak, or watching various holos about different things, all turned silent to stare at us. Some glared, some confused, the rest intrigued. I couldn't blame them, Korriban was notorious for having been the resting place for Sith and the Dark Side. Even if the people didn't know the difference between the two, they at least knew Jedi didn't come to the dark planet.
Master Zesh walked towards the person working at the bar, I followed suit silently this time.
"Greetings, Mr…" Master trailed off, waiting for the Rodian to introduce himself.
"Viss, Master Jedi. Manager of this establishment. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Nothing, much just a couple of drinks for my Padawan and I, and information." Master leaned in a bit, just enough to tell the Rodian at the bar that the latter part of the sentence was meant for private eyes.
"Of course, Master Jedi, anything specific?"
"Non-alcoholic, preferably," Master said, with the type of stoicism that was a clear indication that Master Zesh wasn't attempting humour.
Viss quickly took some glasses and filled them with a clear liquid and handed them to us. Viss turned to another Rodian and called out to them.
"Hey, Mika, sorry to be a pain but I need you to fill in for a second."
Said Rodian walked up enthusiastically. "Yeah, sure Boss."
"Castin." Hearing my name from Master, I turned to face him, his face was stone instead of typical near-emotionless. I should have figured it out then that something was wrong. "See if you can go find any more information from the people here, look at the spacedock worker, from before, again while I talk to Viss. I sense that he didn't talk about the whole truth."
"Yes, Master." I bowed slightly to his order and left the room, leaving the drink on the bar.
However, just before I even left the cantina, a shiver of utter coldness I thought I somehow doused in ice. Just as quickly the temperature changed, it flipped straight back to the near-humidity it was before.
Swaying around unsteadily back to look back into the cantina. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, just Master Zesh and Viss walking off into a corner of the room, the Rodian Mika now on the bar, the numerous customers going back to their activities.
I thought I was just tired, training hard the other day on lightsaber combat and practising my force techniques. Including one that I found interesting and useful.
Shaking my head, I turned to go back up the large metal hallway, towards the dock worker.
"Greetings again, Master Jedi." The green Twi'lek said.
"Not a Master yet, Mister…" I trailed off, like my Master just before. It was a basic social cue but a useful one nonetheless. I smiled at the Twi'lek, appearing nice and relaxed was another way to appeal to the average citizen, allowing them to trust you.
"Tal'di Lethan, Mr Jedi." Tal'di said with a practised smile.
"No need for the 'Mr' title Tal'di Lethan." I waved off with a smile. "Just call me Castin, Castin Madell." I gave a hand for a shake, which Tal'di took with a short but firm handshake.
His hand was a bit sweaty, and I sensed he was nervous.
Something was wrong. The Dark Side that emitted from the planet was making it hard for my farsight to see what would happen. I had to rely on my training and instincts.
"Just wanted to clarify if there were any strange or suspicious people that had turned up recently," I asked, not allowing my initial findings to make my face change its expression.
Tal'di shook his head, his smile stuck in place. "No, fortunately, don't think I can handle having a heart attack on a planet like this." He chuckled at the thought. Sensing his thoughts again, I felt his mind quieten down, though that feeling of nervousness was still there.
"No one?" I pressed.
"No-well." He stopped before turning his head in thought.
Another shiver struck me again swiftly, it covered me. It was violent. A wave of pain struck me, my throat constricted, and I felt crushed.
"Well, well, what have we here?" A voice, croaky and old, purred.
I couldn't move. My body froze, but it couldn't stop my vision from reaching out and seeing it.
The thing in the shape of a man was fiery and red. Like a raging torrent on a calm day. It was like nothing I had seen before, compared to my Master, a calming and quiet blue that was patient, that could withstand that battering of a storm.
"Begone Twi'lek, you still have used." The voice ordered, old but powerful. The owner of the voice entered my 'line of sight' and I saw It. It took the form of an old man, fitting. Its uniform was like a soldier's, grey and clean as if it had been put in a washing machine every day for a year.
It wore sickly pale, wrinkly skin, blank eyes, bald with few hairs on the back of Its head. Without my Force Sight and the fact that It was walking around and talking, I would have thought it was dead.
"A Jedi." Its eyes shifted, Tal'di immediately cowered away with his tail between his legs. Fear overcoming his shame. "A Jedi Padawan, even. Now, what makes a little Padawan come all this way to Korriban? Stranger that your Master left you, you Padawans were always so helpless without your Masters to hold your chains."
It held up a hand to my face as if to grip it but only held it an inch from the limb's destination.
A slam against my mind caused me to freeze mentally, the battering ram struck against my mental gates with frightening strength. Stronger than Master Zesh had trained me against.
It hummed with a frown. "Your mind is strong, unfortunately, I don't have time to deal with an insignificant scum such as yourself. I wonder what that Togruta Master of yours would think when his Padawan is dead." It grinned maliciously, grasping a lightsaber too long to be an ordinary one from Its hip. A familiar activation that would have instilled hope and safety was replaced with horror. No blue or green, not even purple, orange or yellow sprouted from the hilt - but blood red. The blade sang of death, of pain, of hatred.
I knew then what this monster was.
"Sith," I whispered.
The Thing continued to grin.
"Such a shame that a bright young Force-sensitive will snuff out." He raised his blade for a thrust, only to pause. "Your energy is strange. An anomaly. What are you?" The Thing leaned in as if to inspect my face. It continued to try and force Its way into my mind. "What are you?" It repeated through a whisper that echoed.
Trapped, no way out.
I was going to die that day. I was sure of it.
Memories of my life replayed.
Of the faint faces of my parents, the love in their eyes.
Two hooded people come to take me away.
Being led to Dantooine.
Growing up with the Jedi.
Meeting my Master.
Protecting fellow students from Kath Hounds.
Losing pieces of myself.
Getting replacements.
Playing in the fields of Dantooine.
Going to planets.
Helping people through the Core Worlds and the Mid-Rim.
A surprise order from Master Zesh to go to Korriban.
I breathed in.
I was letting fear overrule my mind. Letting emotion stop me from realising what my greatest ally was.
My life was one with the Force, all life was one with the Force. You just needed to trust in it, trust in your ally, and let go.
I breathed out and pushed.
It flung backwards towards the wall of the spacedock. My body turned and charged back into Dreshdae, not taking any chances, and didn't even check on the monster. Foolish with hindsight.
The lingering feeling of nails against my skin, my soul shook me. My body was only able to stand thanks to the Force giving me the strength.
Down the hallway I went, the Dark Creature didn't follow, only stayed where it was. I was thankful for that. The Dark Side was insidious, I knew that but I never thought it was so horrible up close. So compressing. I just prayed to the Force that Master Zesh was okay.
I should have prayed for myself.
The first thing I noticed when I entered the cantina was that there was no one there, no people. Where once people were talking or watching holovids or playing Pazaak, now there was no one, not a single person. Cups and plates were left - the food and drinks abandoned. I went to call out to Master Zesh but paused. Instead, I felt the bond between myself and my Master. Hoping to at least find my Master quickly, hoping that Master Zesh was alright.
Pain.
The pain was all I felt.
I clutched my left arm, it felt like the limb was dipped in molten metal.
"Master!" I cried out, and once again I charged. The fast thuds of my feet turned from metallic to crunchy as I stepped onto Korriban's natural surface.
Korriban was dead, near barren world. The greys of my sight made this world a beauty to behold. On the horizon, broken statues and withered tombs were dotted, Shaking my head from the distraction, I followed the energy of my Master towards a set of ornate doors that barred my way from Master Zesh.
At the doors, I didn't even give the designs of the door any notice and simply breathed in and out slowly. My feet moved into position as I surrendered to the Force once again, hands cupped empty air close to my chest and pulled them back.
"Now!" I ordered myself, throwing my hands forward. The Force helping me as the blocks of metal screeched in agony as they were torn from their hinges. I flinched at my hasty and dumb action. Once again, my emotions stopped me from potentially getting in without noise.
I sighed at my failure, knowing the Master Zesh would've been disappointed in me, before entering the Sith building, knowing that I had to save my Master from possible Sith further in.
From my belt, I grabbed my lightsaber and pushed it through my right sleeve but kept it just behind my wrist. Hoping to at least surprise any enemies that attacked me.
The blocks of metal flung into a small hallway, denting against another entranceway, the walls were adorned with engravings that depicted people wielding swords or were it lightsabers, above others that were kneeling towards the being. In the end, the hunks of metal had lumps and bumps from the impact earlier. I walked up and pushed them open as well, not caring for the preservation of the Sith, not when my Master was in danger.
Once the second set was blasted open, I saw them and time slowed down for me.
Hooded figures, lightsabers varied from standard, two-handed and double-bladed in their hands or clipped onto belts. They stood within an octangular room, a low hanging ceiling that bent further to the centre with statues at every two corners.
In the centre was my Master pushed to his knees, at this close range, even I could sense his pain and exhaustion that filled me with worry. My mind worked overtime as my body scanned the room, eight in total: two holding my Master, four standing around the three in a circle. And two standing in front of them all.
These two, I had never felt such a massive presence, one was tall, bald and wearing mostly red attire, strange blue tattoos adorned his head. They were from no species that I had studied before, maybe Malak was from a specific clan that I didn't know about, I thought to myself.
The other, however...he was unyielding. A blanket that felt all-encompassing that dwarfed even the tattooed one next to him. The mask was eye-catching, it was Mandalorian with a visor that covered every inch of the face, but I will never forget that stare. I couldn't see the eyes, but I knew he stared into my soul that day.
Time resumed, the second set of doors, flung forward, cracking walls and scraping against the floor of the crypt.
"Ah, I imagine this is your Apprentice, Zesh?" Malak spoke with amusement, looking down at Master Zesh.
Zesh swivelled his head towards me, I had a small inkling of worry that he had cracked his neck from the speed.
I froze when I saw Master Zesh's eyes.
They were full of horror, unspeakable horror that one meets when they see their worst nightmare.
I had never seen Master Zesh that way, it struck me to see any emotion on his face.
"Leave Padawan! Get away from here!" Master Zesh near frothed as he screamed.
"No, no stay Padawan." Malak chuckled, echoing through the room. He then froze and tilted his head slightly at me. "Now this is new. You are...different. You are something new in the Force."
"S-Surrender!" I stuttered. My arm, which held the lightsaber, shook with fear as I spoke.
I should have left.
"No, no I don't think we will." Malak then nodded at the four surrounding Master Zesh and the other Sith.
"Bring him to me, alive." The new voice spoke with confidence and even through slight distortion, his voice was captivating.
A voice that came from Darth Revan.