Chapter 2

"What a crazy dream," I was thinking to myself the next day. I started opening my eyes, but everything was blurry. I rubbed my eyes to get rid of the dust and see clearer. After I did, I knew that what I just thought was nowhere close to the truth. "Whoa…" I said to myself. "Houston, we have a problem." I found myself in the middle of a small room surrounded by seats. The light from the windows were blocked by large shades. It was dark, but I was still able to see the shapes of people sitting in the chairs.

"I see you're awake," a voice from a certain dark skinned Jedi said.

"Caused trouble, you have," an old one said.

"Yes," a woman added. "You're actions last night were rather… boisterous. Just as your arrival was unexpected."

"My bad, yo," I replied. "Didn't mean to go all 7:30 at midnight, you know?"

"Let's talk about this in some light," a man with a high forehead said said. Suddenly, the blinds flew up and I was hit by the sunlight shining over the city outside. I covered my face with my sweater. After a few seconds, I lowered my hoodie and was all speechless. Sitting around me were a few of the Jedi Masters.

"Oh my god…" I replied. "Master Yodizzle, what's the nizzle? And Mace, ace, what's crackin'?"

"Yoda, my name is," Yoda replied. "Understand you, I do not."

"What did he just say?" Mace said in confusion.

Okay, so maybe I started my introduction a little brash, 'ight? But if you were with one of your favorite Jedi, you'd be lying if you didn't reacted the way I did. Maybe even more. But enough chit-chat. Now, I am surrounded by a group of master Jedis that do not understand a hint of slang, let alone simple ebonic. Luckily, I've aced my English courses, son! "I mean… it is great to be in the presence of such esteemed and powerful warriors such as yourselves," I replied (bet you didn't expect that!). But to tell you the truth, speakin' like that just didn't sound right to me. Then again, what I said before wasn't sounding right to them either.

"Who are you, young one?" Shaak Ti asked.

"Me?" I smiled and began to introduce myself. "I'm da burnin' flame lit in yo' fireplace. I'm the icy brother that chills you out. Representin' the west side, they call me…" I paused then crossed my arms, "O.G. Shado! But just fo' short, you could call me Shado."

"Shado, your name is?" Yoda asked in confusion.

"That's right, playa. Oh, and I'm a big fan of your work, Master." I then pounded my fist against my chest and showed him the peace sign. "Keep it real, brother." From the look on Yoda's face, I didn't know if he was confused or if he thought I was crunk.

"Tell us why you came here," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.

"And what were you doing in my room?" another voice from behind me said. I turned around and saw the glaring eyes of Barriss. I guess she was a little… tense about what happened last night.

"Yo, yo, yo, it ain't what you think!" I quickly said shaking my hands in front of me. "This is just a big misunderstanding. See this is how it went down…" So I told them my story about how I ended up here in the Jedi Temple. Let me point out that the word 'Earth' is not up their vocabulary. So as soon as I finished, everyone gave me some blank stares. Now I know they was thinkin' 'this nizzle's crazy!' Hell, I'd think that too. "So, that's pretty much how it dropped."

"So, you say you're from this 'Earth'?" Mace asked. "I've never heard of such a place."

"Shizznit…" I replied under my breath. "Hold on just a second," I turned away from the Jedi and pulled out my cellphone (stupid idea, I know. But it was worth a shot.) I began pressing my crib number and cell the device up to my ear.

Unfortunately, I only got the message, "We're sorry, your call cannot be transferred due to you being in a different dimension. Please hang up and dial again."

"Great! I'm stranded on another planet in a galaxy far, far away with no way to get back home? What is I gonna do?"

The room was silent as the Jedi Master decided on a new plan. "Perhaps he can stay here?" Kit said.

"Wha-?" Barriss replied in disbelief.

"Are you sure about that?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked. "We know nothing about this child. How do we know his story is true?"

"We don't," Shaak Ti said. "So in the meantime, it would be wise to watch over him."

"I agree," Mace said. "If he's working for Dooku, whatever data he has will be useless if he can't go back to the Sith Lord."

"Hey, we don't need to be worryin' about that, homie," I said. "I ain't workin' for Count Doo-Doo or any of his punk-ass bitches. 'Sides, my word is bond, know what I'm sayin'?"

"Please, don't use such vulgar here," Shaak Ti said.

"What? You mean…" I paused and remembered about that whole Dark Side stuff. "Oh, sorry. Bad habit."

"Master Yoda, what do you have to say about this predicament?" Kit asked.

The small elder thought about the argument. I stared nervously as he pondered. The choice on whether I stay or go was all in the green man's hands. "Strange this child is," he began. "Visitor of another world, he says he is, but unable to return. A problem, it is. Yet, sensing potential in him, I do…" I gave a small smile as he was about to make his decision. "Stay he will, for now."

"Yeah!" I shouted overjoyed at the master's choice. "That's what I'm talkin' about. You da man! You is da man!" The master began to look at me in that strange 'is you crunk' look again, but I didn't mind. "But wait, where's my crib?"

"You mean you still sleep in a crib?" Ki-Adi-Mundi asked.

"No, not like that! I mean, where's I gonna catch some Z's? And if I'm going to stay in the Jedi Temple, does that mean I'm a Jedi?"

"Not yet," Kit said. "We will start you as a padawan. Do you have any experience with lightsaber combat?"

Do I have any experience in lightsaber combat, he asked. "Yeah…" I said as I twiddled my thumbs. "Of course I have experience." If you count swinging plastic toys, playing games, and watching movies, I think I have my work cut out for me. "And that's not all. Even though you guys have the Force, I have somethin' else. I gots the old school. Taught by the best in the lessons of hardcore gangsta," I said before I struck a pose.

"I don't know what this 'gangsta' is, but it must be a highly renowned throughout your world."

"Well, not really. It's a shizznit kinda thing, ya know?"

"No, I don't," Mace replied.

"Not really," Ki-Adi-Mundi said.

"Sorry," Kit said.

"Understand you, I still do not," replied Yoda.

"Okay then, nevermind," I said while putting my hand on my forehead. Then I remembered what this whole talk was about. "So, where am I goin' to sleep again?"

"With all the Jedi that take residence here, it will be difficult to find you one of your own…" Shaak Ti said. "That means you'll need to share a room with someone else."

"Share a room? Are you sure 'bout that?"

"Is there something wrong with that?" Mace asked.

"What? No way, G. I'm down with it. But who are you going to bunk me with?"

The Jedi Masters stared at Barriss. I turned around and saw a look in her eyes that said 'you got to be kidding!' "Me? But how come?"

"Because you two are already acquainted," Shaak Ti said.

"Yeah, but…" Barriss said in a low tone.

"Also, Barriss is a Jedi Knight," Ki-Adi-Mundi said. "Maybe it is time that she has a Padawan of her own."

"C'mon," I said. "I'm sure it will work out just fine."

Barriss was quiet as she thought the situation over. "Fine. But don't try anything sneaky."

"Sneaky? Sure… If you remember correctly, you threw a boot at me!" Just saying that brought back the pain on my side. "And it still hurts where it hit."

"The preparations are set," Mace said. "Shado, you are now Barriss' Padawan. You must follow the Jedi Code and the way of the Force."

"Don't worry, homie. I'll be good."

"You two are dismissed."

"Thank you, Master Jedis," I said with a bow. Both Barriss and I walked to the elevator on the other side of the hall and rode it down. "So, what's the first thing on the list."

"First, I have to register you as my Padawan downstairs. While I'm doing that, I don't want any trouble from you. Do you understand?"

"Me, trouble?" I asked. "Please. As long as nobody ticks me off, I'm cool." Barriss sighed and looked at me with a worried glance. "What?" When we walked out of the elevator, Barriss went to the front desk to sign me in as her Padawan. Meanwhile, I left the tower and stood outside to get a little fresh air. I walked to the steps to take a stretch, only to freeze in amazement. "Whoa…" was the only thing that escaped my mouth when I stared at the wide expanse of the city that stretched for miles. Now I already knew that Coruscant was a planet covered in city, I ain't denyin' it. But when you look at it for real, it looks a whole lot smaller on T.V. "I wonder where Crispy Cremes and Starbucks are?" I knew there wasn't any such thing (Duh!). But it is a kind of question that would make you think (if there were any, of course.) 'where would they be in such a big ass city as this?'

"Alright, everything's set," Barriss said as she came up from behind me. "From now on, you and I are student and teacher."

"Fo' shizzle!" I said in excitement. "You won't regret it, Barri- I mean, Master. And who knows. You might learn as much from me as I will from you?"

Barriss sighed and turned around. "Well, let's go. Since you're dying to use a lightsaber, let's go to the lightsaber crafting area and then practice on your form."

"All right! This is gonna be tight!"

Author's Note 1: In the next chapter, Shado will start his training with Barriss. Also, the young shizznit will meet up with Aayla Secura and spar against none other than Anakin Skywalker. Prepare to see some fireworks.

Author's Note 2: If you have any ideas you would like to incorporate in the story, please feel free to submit something.