Hi! I am so sorry to have left this story alone so long!

I had a hard time writing this chapter, since there aren't too many examples of a Gathering to go off of. Anyway, here it is! I hope you guys like it! :)

Oh, and I made Astoria on a dollmaker site! Ain't she cool? And yes that is Force lightning! I will get to how she knows it eventually, but for now, I don't want to say too much!

Anyway, I hope you guys like this new chapter! Next chapter starts Attack of the Clones!

Side note for timeline purposes, this chapter is when Astoria is about 12, then there will be a time skip to when she's 15, about when Attack of the Clones takes place, according to a timeline I looked at.

Now, onto the chapter!

~The Lupine Sojourner

"How is your training, Astoria?" Mom asks, smiling at me through the hologram.

I grin and lean in a bit. "It's going great, Mom! I'm finally going to be part of a group for the Gathering!" Mom sees my excitement, but naturally, she's confused. "It means I'll go with a group of other Younglings to a special place where I'll find my lightsaber crystal and create my own lightsaber!"

"Oh, that's wonderful, darling!" Mom cheers, clapping her hands together and laughing as I eagerly describe how awesome my lightsaber is going to be.

"It'll be one of the best lightsabers ever!"

"I'm sure it will be, sweetheart, but you can't let yourself get carried away. Remember to always listen to the instructors and be respectful."

I nod. "Of course, Mom." I reply. "I'm just so excited! I get to go with Anakin's group, and we'll make our hilts together! It'll be so fun!"

"Isn't Anakin your uncle's apprentice?" Mom asks.

I nod. "Yeah, he's a Padawan Learner, and few years older than me, but since I'm top of my class, and am ahead of my group in combat training, I get to go a little sooner than my group. We're leaving tomorrow morning."

"I see. Well, congratulations Astoria!" Mom says proudly. As usual, there's a tiny trace of sadness in Mom's eyes that she isn't here physically.

I give her a wide smile. "Thanks, Mom." I reply, wishing she could be here to see my first lightsaber. Then I get an idea. "I'll show you my lightsaber when I visit for my birthday!"

Mom perks up instantly. "Ah, yes! I'd nearly forgotten."

My birthday was only a month away. Usually, I was allowed to visit Mandalore briefly for my birthday, usually with Uncle Obi in tow. He was always as thrilled as I was to go back to Mandalore, but he'd never say why. I never ask, thinking it was merely his happiness at seeing Mom again since the two are good friends.

"I can't wait, Mom!" I cheer, and Mom chuckles.

"Yes, neither can I, dear. But for now, get some sleep. It's late at night on Coruscant, isn't it?"

I nod sheepishly. "Yeah, but I wanted to talk to you!"

She puts a hand up patiently. "And I, of course, am always happy to talk to you, but you need sleep. Have a good trip, darling."

I nod. "I will. Love you, Mom!"

"I love you more, Astoria." Mom replies and we end the transmission.

Then, I lay down and close my eyes, using the techniques I learned in the meditation lessons to try to get some sleep.

Miraculously, it works and I fall asleep.

=#=#=#=#=

"Come along, Astoria. It wouldn't do to keep the ship waiting." Comes Uncle Obi's voice.

I stretch and sit up, rubbing my eyes as I fully wake up. "Are you…" I yawn and rub my eyes, "Are you coming with us, Uncle Obi?" I ask as I stand, pulling on the outer layers of my Jedi robes.

I always just slept in my pants and a spare undershirt.

"Unfortunately not, young one. But Master Fisto is."

I grin, coming more awake as I move to brush my teeth and pack what little I'd take with me. "Yay!"

Uncle Obi laughs. "You shouldn't play favorites, Astoria." He cautions, amused.

"I'm not!" I protest playfully. "I'm just...happy it's someone I know...better than the other Jedi."

"Mmm...I'm sure. Now, come along. Even Master Fisto's patience runs out eventually."

I slide the last few things in my bag, settle Mom's necklace around my neck and tuck it in like always before I'm ready to go.

We walk toward the exit ramp where the ship is waiting.

There, I see Master Fisto.

I jog over and hug him. "I'm glad you're coming!" I cheer.

"Playing favorites is not the Jedi way, Astoria." Master Fisto teases.

"I know. Master Kenobi told me. I just meant I am happy it's someone I'm a little familiar with."

Fisto puts a hand on my back and guides me toward the group of Younglings I'd be going to the Gathering with. "I'm honored to witness your Gathering, little one."

I smile up at him, then catch sight of a friend. "Roman!" I call, waving at my sparring partner.

"And here I was thinking it'd be a pleasant trip." He quips as we shake hands in greeting.

"Oh, c'mon. I'm not that bad." I retort, chuckling.

Anakin then walks over. "Glad you could scrape by to come with us." He teases.

I roll my eyes. "Why are all my friends teasing me today?" I pretend to be upset, but they know better.

"Because you're an easy target." Anakin replies, before laughing and putting a hand on my shoulder. "In all seriousness, I'm glad you're coming." He says genuinely.

"Me, too." I reply. Before we can talk more, Fisto calls for our attention.

"Younglings, you have all proven yourselves to be the top of your class, and some rose above their class to greater heights. Now, it is time for the Gathering, a most sacred Jedi ritual." We're all murmuring excitedly and eager to get going, but Master Fisto clears his throat and we fall silent again. "This is the trip that will raise you another step on the path to being a Jedi Knight. This is the trip...you build your lightsabers!"

We are all super excited to get going and crowd toward the ship. Roman and I get into the ship at the same time, looking around and chatting excitedly.

Coming out to meet us from deeper inside the ship was a strange droid. It was an older model, I think, but it seemed to be running smoothly as it greets us.

"Hello Younglings. I am Professor Huyang, lightsaber architect and designer. Welcome to your Gathering."

"Thank you, Professor. We're happy to be here!" I chirp, remembering the manners Mom taught me.

Professor Huyang seems to smile at me. "I see someone was elected spokesperson." He says good-naturedly and I hear some embarrassed shuffling of feet behind me, telling me the others felt bad for not being the first to thank the droid.

"Alright, Younglings. Let's settle in and get some food and then we'll start learning about lightsabers when we're finished." Master Fisto orders and we file off with him to the spartan rooms we'd be staying on for the overnight flight to Ilum and then the flight back. Once we're all settled in, we go back to the main area where I assume we would be instructed and actually construct our lightsabers.

Turns out Roman, a Bothan youngling, and I were the first few back to Master Fisto.

"Why don't we start introductions while we're waiting on the others?" Master Fisto suggests and I agree.

"Good idea! I'm Astoria Kryze!" I chirp, tapping my chest.

"And I'm Roman Cartalzan." Roman adds, bowing a little in respect.

"Lovely to meet you all. I can tell this trip will be exciting!" Professor Huyang says, again seeming to be smiling as other Younglings file in.

In my excitement, I could hardly remember some of the groups' names, but then Professor Huyang began his lecture on the history of the lightsabers and how integral they are to a Jedi, describing various lightsabers he'd seen created and even showing us a few of his personal favorites.

By the time bedtime came around, we were mesmerized by the Professor and his stories, but Master Fisto corralled us toward the rooms and we suddenly realize how tired we are, so we don't protest but so much.

=#=#=#=#=

Over the intercom system, Professor Huyang calls us all to breakfast while we make our final approach. We find a set of thick winter clothing outside our doors and I dress in everything but the outer jacket.

Already I was rather warm, but I am too excited to care as I hurriedly brush my teeth and make my way to the dining hall.

"- -in a long, long time. It will be very interesting to see what happens at this Gathering." I hear the Professor saying to Master Fisto and despite knowing it was rude, I can't help stopping where I was to listen.

"Indeed, Professor." Master Fisto replies. "She is one of a kind, that girl. Her mother, a Duchess, and the second Mandalorian Jedi in history! Just imagine her potential! I can't wait to see how her story unfolds!"

I blink. I was…one of the first-ever Mandalorian Jedis? Wow! I had no idea!

"Yes…especially considering her inherent skill in combat." Professor Huyang points out.

"Indeed. But she is doing admirably in all other aspects of her training, as well."

The revelation would have to wait as other Younglings begin to file out of their rooms, so I pretend to be still waking up as I shuffle into the dining area.

"Good morning, Younglings! We have a rather busy day ahead, so I will begin the instructions while we enjoy our breakfast." Master Fisto greets as we settle at the tables.

I don't miss the Professor and Master Fisto's eyes lingering on me for a moment but I don't want to make a scene yet so I get my food and manage a seat next to Anakin and Roman.

Master Fisto explains that this planet was constantly frozen and that the object of our journey here to Ilum was to find Kyber Crystals, and the crystal would be a very important component of our lightsabers.

He went on to explain that he would not come with us into the caverns where the crystals were held, but would wait at the entrance for us. He also said we only had a day's rotation to get our crystals. If we can't get out in time, Illum's sun will set and we'll be trapped in the caverns until the next sunrise, 19 days later.

No pressure there…

We finish suiting up and follow Master Fisto into a blustery, winter morning.

Soon, we reach a cliff face of sheer ice. Master Fisto turns to face us.

"In order to get inside the temple here on Ilum, we will have to work together. Only together will the ice be moved to grant us entrance inside." He explains before turning and raising a hand.

We join him and I search inside myself for that spring, triggering it and imagining the ice falling. Focusing on that feeling, I let myself unleash the Force.

The sound of crumbling ice is all anyone can hear for what feels like a long time, then finally things go quiet.

And there in front of us was indeed an entrance. We hurry through it and inside there are statues of Jedi poised in various fighting stances, all with ignited lightsabers in their hands.

It was truly an impressive sight.

"Younglings, gather if you would." Master Fisto calls and we obey quickly. "We Jedi are peacekeepers, but how do we defend that peace? Anyone?"

"With a lightsaber, right?" Roman replies.

"Exactly! And that's what we aim to create today. Now, this planet is very ancient and mysterious. This is the only known place Kyber crystals can be gathered. This is a very guarded secret in the Jedi order, and this ceremony is very important in your training. Today is the day you rise to a new height and create the weapon that will aid you in more ways than you can yet see. But at the heart of a lightsaber is the crystal, so it is important that you choose the right one. Only you can know which crystal is yours and only you can create your lightsaber. Now, time is running out in the day, so I will say only this; trust yourselves and each other and you will overcome this challenge. May the Force be with you all! Good luck!" With that, Master Fisto raised his hand again and what came next was something I will never forget.

Master Fisto looked up and through the force turned a large crystal structure and a window opened. Master Fisto further turned the structure and used the reflections of the crystals to direct sunlight toward a large door of ice at the back of the chamber. The ice instantly starts melting and the water rushes down in an impressive display.

When the water was thoroughly drained, Master Fisto smiles. "Now begins your trial. Off you go! I will be waiting here when you are done."

We all head into the caverns, and I can't help feeling a bit uneasy.

What was waiting for us down here?

Soon, we reach a large open area with several paths leading off into the unknown.

"Which way should we go?" I ask when no one seems to want to move.

"I don't think there's a right or wrong way. Just trust your instincts and the Force. Let's close our eyes and head toward a path, and whichever way we end up going is where the Force wants us." Roman suggests and no one disagrees.

I close my eyes and I swear I hear something in front of me, like…like a fight. I head that way with my eyes still closed until I don't hear my companions.

I open my eyes and find myself in almost complete darkness. I only saw enough to know where the path was, but no more than that.

The noises I heard before start growing louder as I walk down the path. I start walking faster. What was happening?

I start swearing I see things, blurry images of people fighting. One looks so much like Uncle Obi, I call out and move toward it, but I only bump my face into an ice wall. I watch as he runs down some kind of hallway, maybe on a ship, and then there's a woman being held hostage, but there the images end, seeming to be moved further down the tunnel.

I move with it, trying to see what came next, but darkness returns and I stop. What was going on? How could I see things like that when I'm nowhere near any kind of hologram?

I shake myself and keep moving.

Whispers start soon and I swear I hear not only Uncle Obi, but Mom, as well! She sounds worried, scared!

She's in trouble! I look around, but there are no visions. Heart starting to beat quicker, I run forward and call out to her.

"Mom! Mom, I'm here!" There's no answer and I keep running.

"Please, Obi-Wan…tell her."

"Mom!" Where is she? I turn around and around, desperate for anything to tell me where Mom is, but I see nothing! Mom sounds so scared!

"Satine, it'll be alright, I promise."

"Uncle Obi?" I call, but again no answer.

I run forward, eyes flicking to either side of the path to try and find something, anything to tell me what was going on, but I see nothing, led on by these strange whispers.

My heart drops as I hear my mother cry out in pain. I race forward blindly, only caring that my mother was ok!

"Mom! Mom I'm coming! Just hang on!" I then smack right into another ice wall, only this time, I break it and find myself tumbling down a steep slope with ice shards all around me.

My body aches a bit as I wearily pick myself up.

Great…now I'm lost. I have no idea where I am or how to find this crystal I'm supposed to get! I lost track of my mission when I started hearing things!

I should have known not to race around after things like that and get distracted.

I sit down to think of my next move. I could try to climb back up the slope, but that seems treacherous. I don't know…

What should I do? I'm running out of time and I don't see any other paths around me!

I cross my legs.

I had to refocus myself, that much was obvious. It had been so easy for the Force to distract me with visions and voices of those I love.

I had to ignore those voices and get some idea of where I'm supposed to go to find my crystal.

And to do that, I'll have to climb the slope.

I open my eyes, feeling better now I had a plan.

The slope is very hard to climb. One wrong step and I slip down a bit, but luckily there were some small grooves and cracks in the ice I can use as sort of hand and foot holds.

As I climb, I start focusing on the crystals all around me, trying to find out which is mine. I start to hear a faint chime, almost like a whisper, steady as I get closer to the top.

Finally, I hoist myself over the hole I'd made in the wall. I had to be careful or I'd- -

"Astoria!" The whispers are back! That one sounds like Anakin, but…older! I hear battle around me, but I try to ignore it, finding that faint chime again and following that. "Astoria get out of there! C'mon!"

Ignore it…ignore it…

"Agh!" Uncle Obi! He was losing a- -no. No, I can't get distracted again! I have to hurry! I wasted too much time following these voices! They're just testing me! I have to focus!

I find the chime and keep moving.

The voices gain volume as I progress, but thankfully the chime gets just a bit louder, too, so I don't lose it.

There were so many now…some I can almost recognize, some I know, and some I have a feeling I have yet to meet.

They're overlapping and I can't tell everything they're saying, but I have to ignore it and focus!

Moving forward and trusting the chime becomes harder when the voices turn desperate and blasters fire in the distance. My heart hammers and I know whatever this vision is…it's dark. Dark and foreboding, but probably not even true, so I try my hardest to move on.

That chime isn't as loud now and it's so hard to hear…

Suddenly, just as the voices are reaching their loudest and most intense, I come to a crossroads, one way seeming to be the source of the voices, the other the source of the chime.

Unsurprisingly, the chime is barely audible now above the chaos of the voices, who were giving orders in the midst of a battle, crying out as they're blasted to bits, or begging for help.

My heart aches for these people, but I have to keep reminding myself that they aren't real. They're just the Force trying to lead me astray, testing me.

I find through all the chaos, under all the screams and voices, that small chime, so I refocus myself and shake off my emotions enough to move toward the path of the chime.

Then…I hear something that stops me in my tracks.

My mother, gasping for breath as if someone was choking her, the sound of a lightsaber stabbing, and her breathing going quiet, her final words too quiet for me to hear, but I know she's dying.

I whirl, eyes prickling with tears.

Of course, there's no one there. Only the horrid sound of my mother drawing her last breath.

I can't help it and take off, tears blurring my vision. "Mom!" I scream but there's no answer, no voices.

Wait…no voices! I have to get control of myself! This was just leading me astray again!

I stumble to a halt and find myself right at the point I broke through the wall. In fact, I'd come close to falling down the slope again.

Luckily, I am able to jump back a bit and regain my footing.

I wipe my eyes. It wasn't real. There was nothing there…my mother is fine. She's on Mandalore. She's safe.

I'll see her soon, I just know it!

With that bit of comfort, I refocus on the task at hand, and suddenly everything is quiet. There are no more distractions.

I run back to the split and down the path of the chime, finding a dead end with a small glowing crack in the ice.

I take a few deep breaths, and then focus on my connection to the Force, and picture the crystal moving toward me, hearing the ice cracking and then the crystal is in my hand. I examine it briefly. It was a genuine crystal and I slip it into my pocket before running back down the path I'd come, not looking back, focusing on getting out to the entrance.

Soon enough, I'm back at the large area shortly before the entrance, and I have to dodge out of the way of Roman, who's running as if something is chasing him.

"The door's gonna be frozen shut soon!" Is all he says. I run after him and we come out of the door, realizing it was just barely above our heads. It was lower than I thought it would be…

"Welcome back, Younglings!" Master Fisto calls, and I realize Roman and I are the fourth and fifth Younglings back. That means there are still 2 Younglings in the caverns.

Luckily, Anakin was here, so I walk over.

He seems…a bit shaken, so I give him a smile. "Congratulations!" I greet. "You got your crystal!"

"That wasn't easy." He murmurs, then shakes himself. "Glad to see you got your crystal, too, Astoria."

I nod toward a more secluded spot and Anakin follows me there. "You saw your mother, didn't you?" I ask softly.

Anakin winces, then nods. "I still miss her. I miss her so much it hurts!"

"I know, Anakin. I miss my mother, too. I kept hearing these weird voices, some I think I know and some I didn't, but they kept trying to lead me down another path. Then, right when I thought I had it under control and was about to go get my crystal…I heard my mother dying."

"I heard mine calling my name. She needed me. She was in pain!"

I nod. "I know, Anakin." I give him a hug. He'd told me that he was taken to the temple later than most Younglings. So late, in fact, that the Council very nearly didn't let him start his training, but through certain circumstances involving Master Qui-Gon Jinn's death and Uncle Obi's promise to him to train Anakin, he was allowed to be Obi-Wan's Padawan and start his training. "I'm so sorry. I hope it was just the Force tricking us."

Our stories were similar but not the same; I was taken to the Temple at 5 years old, and Anakin at 8. I could visit my mother sometimes and call her, but Anakin couldn't. With his mother still a slave on Tattoine, there was nothing Anakin could do. He wasn't far enough in his training.

"...Thanks, Astoria." Anakin murmurs, returning my hug.

We stay hugging for a few minutes, then Anakin lets go so we rejoin the others.

Some of the group seem a bit rattled but none of them failed to get their lightsaber crystal, so Fisto has us all gather and we file in, my hand on Anakin's shoulder.

"I see you have emerged from the trial victorious, young ones!" Master Fisto congratulates, smile wide and arms outstretched. "Wonderful! I understand it may have been harder on some than others, but rest easy in the knowledge that you succeeded in this task and are one step closer to becoming Jedi. Now, let us return to the Temple. On the flight back, we will construct your lightsaber hilts. Be aware that the difficulty of the training will increase now, and will continue to increase until it culminates in a tournament where you will display what you have learned and the potential for a Jedi Master taking you as Padawan is at its highest."

I'd nearly forgotten about the tournament, to be honest. I wasn't old enough until recently. With my 13th birthday coming up, I'd be undergoing the tournament in a few years and after that, with luck, I'll begin training under a Jedi Master.

I just had to be patient and learn what I can with my lightsaber before the tournament. I wonder if anyone will choose me as a Padawan, but I suppose I'll just have to wait and see. No use speculating for a while.

Soon enough, we leave the temple in high spirits that even the howling wind and cold couldn't dampen. We chat and tell each other what we saw in the caverns as we get some food in the main area.

Professor Hyuang comes out and seems as excited as we are to get started on our lightsabers.

In fact, we were all so eager to start making our lightsabers, the hours passed in a blur.

I decide to close my eyes as I explore the lightsaber parts the Professor brought out. I grabbed here and there and finally, I felt I had enough.

"Professor?" I ask.

"Yes, my friend?"

I show him my collection. "Is this everything I need?" I ask politely.

"Hmmm…" He pokes through my parts and nods. "Yes, I believe it is. Well done!" He's then asked to look over another Youngling's parts and off he goes.

"Well done, Astoria." Comes Master Fisto's voice beside me.

I jump. "Ah! You scared me!" I squeak, heart beating in my ears.

Master Fisto chuckles. "It was unintentional, I assure you." He then nods toward my pile of parts. "I saw you collect these. You are making great strides in your connection to the Force, young one." He congratulates.

"Thank you, Master Fisto!" I smile at him. "I just…grabbed what I thought was right."

"And you chose to trust the Force. That is no easy task, at times." He eyes my parts again. "What an intriguing combination, Astoria. I have never seen that style of pommel with that main hilt and blade emitter." He notes, nudging the mentioned parts with his fingers.

"Is that…bad?" I ask timidly.

"No, no! Not at all! I had just never seen it before, that's all." He shrugs.

Professor Hyuang then calls for our attention and I have to listen. I wanted to talk to Master Fisto about what I heard this morning, but maybe that's best saved for later…

The Professor was joined by Master Fisto and the pair begin to explain how the Force can aid us in building our lightsabers, creating a weapon we will grow to depend on in our training and beyond.

We all gather our parts and begin sitting in a circle, cross-legged and ready to assemble our parts.

Professor Hyuang sets up a hologram of how the lightsaber parts should be assembled, then Fisto instructs us to trust the Force and create our lightsabers.

I close my eyes, seeking my parts through the Force. I find them, and begin lifting them all, moving them to fit the diagram.

The hilt forms, then the energy core, my crystal tucked securely inside. After that, I form the blade emitter, from the focusing ring to the main hilt, to finally the emitter itself.

From there, it's a matter of adding a few screws to keep everything in place and I am done, my lightsaber falling gently into my ready hands.

It is a thing of beauty, gleaming in the artificial light of the ship, reflecting the blue of the hologram nicely as I inspect my handiwork.

"I see we already have a few finished lightsabers." Professor Hyuang muses happily as he walks around, giving his own inspection to the half of the group that had constructed their lightsabers.

He finally reaches me, and I hand him my lightsaber, feeling a bit nervous I'd messed something up.

"So close, dear. Just invert that section of the energy core" He points to the part of the hologram he meant "and you will have your weapon. Very impressive looking, I must say. Good work, young one!" Is the praise I get. I start unscrewing the parts of the lightsaber. I invert the parts of the core needed and reassemble everything.

I notice Professor Hyuang off talking to Roman about his lightsaber, so I wait patiently before walking over.

"Got it fixed, then?" The professor asks happily, turning to me.

"I think so." I reply, handing him my lightsaber for a second time.

He looks it over and hands it back. "Marvelous! You have your weapon, young one!"

I smile. "Thank you!"

"It's always a pleasure instructing future Jedi." He seems to smile at me, patting my shoulder before moving to help other younglings.

"That is a lightsaber to be proud of, Astoria." Master Fisto says when I show him.

"Thank you!" I try some swings with it deactivated. "I can't wait to test it out!"

"It is a tool to use only when needed, Astoria." He reminds me gently.

"Yes, Master." I bob my head. Then I remember what Master Fisto had said this morning.

"Something on your mind, young one?"

I glance around. "Um…"

"You'd rather we talked in private, hmm?"

I nod. "If we can."

"Of course. This way." He leads me to what I assume is his quarters. "Now, what troubles you, young one?"

"Well…" I shift my feet. I wouldn't be in trouble for accidentally eavesdropping, would I? "I may have accidentally overheard you and the Professor talking this morning. Just the last bit! Ab-about me…"

"I see." He chuckles. "You wonder if what we said is true?"

I nod. "I know I shouldn't have eavesdropped. I'm sorry."

"It's quite alright, young one. It was bound to be revealed at some point in your life. It is true that you are only the second Mandalorian Jedi recorded in history, but don't let it trouble you. There are other species who do not develop a connection to the Force often."

"I know, but…does it change anything? In my training? In the way the Counsel treats me?"

"Oh, Astoria." I am scooped up in a hug. "You are welcome in the Jedi Order with open arms!" He sets me down and ruffles my hair. "I am sorry you felt troubled by the discussion this morning, but let those feelings wash away with the knowledge that you are valued in the Jedi Order for more than your birthplace."

I nod, feeling a bit better. "Thank you, Master Fisto." I hadn't even realized how troubled I was about being only the second recorded Mandalorian Jedi until now. But I do feel those emotions subsiding as Master Fisto guides me back to everyone else.

I was a part of the Jedi Order and a Mandalorian. I had to find balance and peace with that as I continue my training.

Hopefully, it won't be too hard…and then I'll be a Padawan, out on adventures with a wise Jedi Master!

I can hardly wait!