Chapter 2: First Test
Hey everyone I'm back with a new chapter. For this one I wanted to get a few things taken care of before Shun officially joined the Clone Wars and he learns an important lesson about being the Avatar and eventually a Jedi. I hope you like what I have planned. Please Review and Enjoy.
Flying through space, Shun was walking around the main control room talking with the clone troopers stationed there.
"So wait, this Republic chose one guy to make an army of clones for them to use as troops and you're all clones?" Shun asks.
"That's generally the sum of it." One said.
"So what do you guys do so people don't mix you up with other clones?" Shun asks
"We give each other our own names. We originally just had numbers, but we didn't really like that. I'm Nux." One said offering his hand to shake.
"Shun." Shun nods shaking his hand.
"So Shun what's your deal? We heard the General say you took out a bunch of clankers all by yourself." Nux asks.
"Oh that's because I used my bending." Shun said.
"What's that?" Nux asks.
Shun reaches for his waist and opened a small canteen and bended the water out of it getting their attention. "In my world there's 4 nations where people can control one of four elements: Water, Earth, Fire and Air, but there's on person that is able to control all 4 elements called the Avatar, that's me." Shun explains.
"Not bad, but I think when it comes to battles, I'll just stick with this." Nux said picking up a blaster.
"Hey kid can you make that water do some more tricks?" Another clone chuckles when Jaro Tapal walks in. "General on deck!"
Standing up all the clones turn to face him.
"At ease soldiers, back to work." Master Tapal said as he gestured for Shun to come over. "Alright Padawan I have a very important test for you, pass it and you will trained in the ways of the Force." He said bringing up a map. "Are you ready?"
"I'll try." Shun said.
"Do or do not, there is no try." Master Tapal said turning to him.
"What does that mean? How can I do something if I don't try to do it?" Shun asks confused.
"Because just the thought of trying means there is doubt in you, you must not have doubt, you will succeed or you will, but there is no try." Jaro said.
"Those are pretty wise words." Shun said amazed.
"Master Yoda told me those words. Maybe you'll meet him someday." Jaro said turning to the map and pointing to a planet. "Captain set a course for the Illum system."
"Yes, general." The Captain said as they entered light speed flying across space.
"This is gonna take some getting used to." Shun mumbles as he stumbled backwards.
Arriving on the cold, freezing planet of Ilum, Jaro and Shun stepped off the ship and instantly Shun was shivering.
"This place is a million times colder than the South Pole. What could possibly be out here?" Shun asks.
"Patience for one. Here is where we will determine if you are meant to be a Jedi or not. Go to that cave over there." Jaro points.
"Wait you're not coming with me?" Shun asks.
"This is your test, not mine." Jaro said when he used the Force to pull Shun's glider off his back.
"Hey!" Shun said as Jaro caught it.
"You won't need this where you're going." He replies.
Sighing Shun walked through the snow towards the cavern. "What exactly am I looking for?"
"Nothing and everything." Jaro calls out.
"That doesn't help." Shun said.
"I know, but that's what all of us were taught." Jaro said that last part silently as Shun entered the cavern.
Inside the caverns, Shun made a small flame in his hand to light the way and provide him with at least some warmth.
"It's amazing people even come to this frozen wasteland. What could possibly be here?" Shun asks looking around.
"There is nothing, nothing that can possibly help you." A voice echoes. "You're weak just like the rest of your kind!"
Shun turned his head and saw a blast of flames coming towards him. Rolling out of the way Shun took a fighting stance. "Show yourself!"
As a figure emerged from the shadows Shun's eyes widen in shock to see Fire Lord Ozai standing in front of him.
"Hello Avatar." Ozai grins.
"N-No it can't be you're dead." Shun said in fear.
"I am the Phoenix King. I can never die!" Ozai declared attacking Shun.
Jumping out of the way Shun dodges all of Ozai's fire attacks.
"You can't run from me forever Avatar!" Ozai yells as Shun lands behind him.
Bending the ice around him Shun traps Ozai in a sphere.
"What is going on here?" Shun asks.
"That should be obvious." A female voice said. Turning around Shun saw Kuvira standing behind in a fighting stance. "It's time for revenge."
As Ozai breaks out of the ice, Shun found himself standing between two of the most evil benders in the entire world.
As fear engulfed him Shun froze in place.
"Time to die!" Ozai yells as he and Kuvira charged towards him when suddenly a third figure jumps in creating a bright light.
When the light died down, Shun was laying on the ground. "Ugh what the heck happened?"
"I should be asking you that?" A female voice said walking up to him.
Standing in front of him was an adult woman with long brown hair and water tribe clothing. This was Avatar Korra.
"K-Korra?" Shun said surprised.
"Hey Shun, been a while since we talked." Korra said as Shun stood up. "What was that all about?"
"I-I don't know, I was just walking through when I faced the worst enemies you and Aang ever dealt with." Shun said.
"This is place is like the Spirit World, it can mess with your head if you let it get to you, but that's not the problem." Korra said as they walked through the cave. "You're worried, stressed, afraid."
"Of course I am, I'm on an unknown planet far away from home and if by some miracle I pass this test I have fight in an entire war." Shun said.
"And you don't think you can do this?" Korra asks.
"I-I don't know, you and Aang were able to save the entire world." Shun said.
"See that's your problem Shun." Korra said bonking him on the head. "You keep thinking because you're the Avatar you have to do things like how Aang and I did, but you don't. Do things your way, be creative and most importantly find people you can trust who can have your back because you don't have to do this alone."
"But what if I don't have what it takes to be a Jedi?" Shun asks.
"We're Avatars, we can do anything if we set our minds to it. Take Ozai and Kuvira back there. Aang had his doubts about facing Ozai all those years ago, but he in the end he learned how to take away Ozai's bending so he could stay true to who he was. Then there's me and Kuvira, when she tried to use the Spirit Beam to wipe out Republic City, I was also nervous but when I fought back I learned how to bend the Spirit beam. Both Aang and I had our doubts and fears, we couldn't run from them or hide from them, but we could face them and we rose above our fears. I'm not saying doing this will be easy, but you're not gonna go through this alone." Korra said.
"You're right Korra." Shun smiles when a light shines, they both saw a light on the top of a rock.
Walking to it, Shun picks it up to reveal a blue crystal.
"Remember, all the Avatars that came before you will be right here." Korra said poking him. "Helping you every step of the way."
"Thanks Korra." Shun said.
"Anytime Shun, now get out there and show those Jedi how we Avatar's save worlds." Korra smirks before disappearing.
Smiling Shun walks out of the cave towards the ship where Jaro was standing there waiting for him.
"How are you?" Jaro asks.
"Different, but the same." Shun said as Jaro handed him back his glider.
"I know that feeling." Jaro said.
"Found this, what is it?" Shun opens his hand to reveal the blue crystal causing Jaro to smile.
"Congratulations Shun, you passed." He said.
"I did?" Shun said surprised.
"That my Padawan is a Khyber Crystal, it's what we Jedi use to create our lightsabers. With this, we begin your Jedi Training." Jaro said causing Shun to smile. "Your training starts immediately. We much to do and not much time to do it." He said turning around and walking back into the ship.
"Thank you Master Tapal." Shun smiles as he followed him inside.
Weeks had passed and Jaro and Shun were sitting in a small room meditating.
Scattered at Shun's feet were multiple parts and his Khyber crystal.
"There are many parts here, but only pick the ones you need, control them with the Force and assemble your lightsaber." Jaro instructs.
"But how will I know which ones I need?" Shun asks.
"Concentrate Padawan, don't think, feel. Imagine in your hand what will make you strong in battle, but humble in retreat. A Lightsaber is a Jedi's truest ally. It is not just a weapon but a part of you as well, much your bending you must put your heart into creating this lightsaber and trust the Force." Jaro instructs.
Taking a deep breath, Shun closes his eyes and holds out his hands. Floating in the air all the pieces floated around him before they slowly started to form around his crystal.
When Shun opened his eyes he saw a silver lightsaber with a black handle and tied to bottom of it was a brown strap that had the symbol of all four nations sewed into it.
Reaching out Shun grabbed the lightsaber and held it out to his master for inspection.
Taking it Jaro inspects it very carefully. "I think it's a very fine weapon, go ahead.
Standing up Shun took his lightsaber and ignited it causing the blue blade to shoot out in front of him.
Smiling Shun waved it around before closing it. "Very good Padawan." Jaro smiles.
As Shun walks out of the room, Jaro sat down to meditate when suddenly he saw a vision causing him to gasp.
In the vision, he saw Shun fighting in the Clone Wars, but not alongside him. At Shun's side was a man with brown hair and dark clothing, a man with orange hair a beard, and white clothing and an orange Togruta girl around Shun's age with white lekkus. The next one showed a troop carrier being landed on a Separatist Ship and when it opened Shun and dozens of Clone Troopers raced out on the backs of Polarbear Dogs while Sky Bisons flew in behind them charging towards an army of droids. In the final vision, Shun had his lightsaber ignited and was staring down a shadowy figure in a black cloak who was wielding a red lightsaber. As the figure cackled it fired lightning at Shun causing his eyes to glow bright meaning he entered the Avatar State snapping Jaro out of his vision causing him to breathe heavily.
"That vision…it showed me something. My Padawan has a bigger role to play in this war than I could ever believe." Jaro said worried about what the future might bring for Shun.