Robbant Calden stood silently in his room at the Jedi Temple, one arm resting against the single large window that took up the entirety of his West facing wall. Judging by the rays of orange light that crept across the horizon and the slowly growing lines of speeder traffic that began clogging the authorised speeder lanes around the Jedi Temple, He guessed the time to be around five to six AM. He sighed heavily as he looked out across the horizon, It had been yet another sleepless night. It had been months and fifthteen days since he had returned to the temple,a month and a half since he had given his report of the occupation of Geonosis to the Council, and he had not truly slept in any real capacity since his return, his mind was far too restless. He knew the real reason why the council had ordered his return from Geonosis, why they had pulled him away from his men. He knew they were deliberating on him, judging him, debating amongst themselves on whether or not he was truly ready for the role they had sent to that hell hole to earn in the first place!
Robbant let out another heavy breath and rubbed his bleary eyes, he was being unfair, the council undoubtedly had greater things to concern themselves with than a freshly returned Padawan. Still, the waiting was enough to drive him mad. "Patience" He said to himself, chastising himself for his brashness. He thought back to one of the many lessons that Master Tokra had taught him "The Jedi are peacekeepers, that is true Robb" His Master had told him "But we are so much more than simple warriors, the greatest battle of the Jedi is to keep the peace within oneself. Only through meditation and oneness with the Force, can one truly embody our ideals". Robbant pushed away from the window, flicking a nearby switch to close the shutters, leaving him in complete darkness. It had been a long time since he had last mediated… Far too long, still, perhaps it would help ease his troubled mind. He lowered himself into a sitting position onto the carpeted floor, his legs crossed and fingers interlocking as he rested his hands in his lap, and took one last deep breath before closing his eyes.
When he opened them again he was no longer in his pitch black room, he was no longer even on Coruscant. No, as he looked around he was now sitting on the floor of a large, well decorated and furnished sitting area. This was the lounge of his childhood home. He could feel the cool Theed air brush against his skin, and could smell the Solleu River from the open window. He was home. He was younger than before, far younger, barely into his fifth year of life. He wasn't sure how he knew this, but he did. He looked down, and stared at the small wooden N-1 starfighter in his tiny hand. It was a gift from his father, a toy he had chosen on his birthday but a week ago. He giggled as he made it fly though the air, not in the way most children did, no, Robbant truly made his toy fly. He reached out with both hands and the fighter swooped and drifted through the air, as if truly in flight. He liked to pretend it was his father flying as he played, beating the bad guys and keeping them all safe, just like mother told him he did. He was so focused on his toy, he barely paid attention to his parents as they sat with the strange lady who had come to visit. He could hear Eleen crying though, it was strange to hear his older sister cry, did she do something wrong?
"Most impressive, young one" A voice said, pulling Robb's focus away from his toy, which promptly fell to the ground. Robb looked up towards the voice and was met with the shrouded face of the strange lady, she crouched low to meet his gaze, the hood of her brown robe covered the top most of her face, but Robb could see she had orange skin with some strange black markings on her chin and jawline.
"Wanna play?" He asked her, holding up another of his many toys. A masterfully crafted replica of a Vulture droid. "You can be the Droids" He didn't like to play as the droids, he always made Eleen play as them.
The hooded woman chuckled under her breath and pulled down her hood, revealing a horned head, more black markings covered the woman's face and hairless head. "Very well" The Zabrak woman smiled as she reached her hand and just as he had done, she made the toy fly through the air. Robb gasped in awe as he watched the wooden Vulture droid soar through the room, doing flips and rolls as the woman's eyes stayed focused on the young boy.
"You're like me!" He shrieked happily as he reached out to move the N-1 fighter with his mind. He tried to mimic the Vulture Droid's elaborate movements, but failed rather miserably, nearly hitting the strange lady in the head as he attempted to make the toy flip in the air. She didn't seem to mind though.
"My name is Auta Tudo, little one" She said, bringing the Vulture Droid down into her hand "I'm a member of the Jedi Order. Do you know what that is?" Robb shook his head, he had heard his parents talk about the Jedi before, but he always thought it just was some sort of grown up thing he would learn about when he got older. "The Jedi are a group of people like me and you, who can do all kinds of wonderful things through use of the Force-"
"More people like me?!" Robb yelped, interrupting the lady mid sentence. He had always assumed he was the only one, after all, none of his friends could do the things he could.
"Yes, little one. More people like you" Auta replied, a warm smile curling across her feature "Would you like to meet them?"
Robb's eyes widened in excitement, a chance to meet more people like him, to play with all kinds of new people. Something suddenly dawned on him, a deep unease that chilled him to the bone. Looking past Auta he stared at his parents, Eleen had left, or had been sent away, he didn't know which. His father looked at him, he had a proud yet hard look on his face as his steely blue eyes met Robb's own. His mother on the other hand, looked as if she was barely holding it together, her eyes were puffy and red and as much as she tried to hide it, brimmed with tears. "W-will mommy and papa get to come?" He asked, looking up to meet Auta's gaze.
The Zabraks smile dropped, and he somehow knew she had been worried this question would come up "No, young. They may not"
Robb felt his heart sink, did this stranger come to take him away? To take him from his parents and his home, possibly forever? "Can… Can you come visit?"
The Zabrak shook her head, visibly tensing at the child's probing questions.
"Th-Then I don't wanna go!" Robb said, his eyes brimming with tears as his heart pounded in his chest. He scrambled to his feet, and ran to his parents, trampling several of his toys as did so. He wrapped his tiny arms around his mothers legs, holding onto her as if his life depended on it "I want to stay with them!"
His mother crouched down, her arms wrapped around him in a protective and motherly embrace. "Shhh, little bird" She cooed to him, running her fingers through his obsidian hair. Her voice was shaking, as if she would break at any moment. "Auta is going to take you to be a hero, like in the stories I tell you"
"R-really?" Robb asked, tears streaking down his cheeks as he stared up into his mothers honey coloured eyes.
"Yes, my sweet boy" His mother said, brushing a stray lock of hair from her son's face "You will be so brave and strong. Just like your father"
"You are destined for great things, my boy" Robb felt the strong, calloused hand of his father grip onto his shoulder, he turned to look up at the pillar of a man. His father was a thickly built man, a mass of muscles and scars he gained through a lifetime of military service in the Royal Guard of Naboo, despite being of noble blood himself. "I know you will make us proud"
Robb sniffed as he looked up at his father. His papa never lied to him before, if he said that this lady would turn him into a hero then it must be true. "O-okay…" He mumbled, wiping away his tears with his sleeve as his father hoisted him into the air. He was carried over to Knight Auta and whined as he felt the strangers arms take him from his father. She said nothing as she made to leave, carrying Robb away from the only home he had ever known.
He looked over the Jedi's shoulder, taking one last look at his parents. His father held onto his mother, his large form draping over her as she sobbed into his chest. Robb felt his heart start to race as he watched his mother weep. This was wrong, he had changed his mind, he didn't want to go! "NO!" he cried out, wriggling and writhing in Auta's arms, trying to break free, trying to get back to his mother. "I don't wanna go! I want to stay! MOMMY!"
He felt the Jedi's grip tighten on him and felt something tingle in the back of his mind. "Sleep" The Jedi whispered and unconsciousness took him.
When his eyes opened once again, he was no longer in his childhood home, no longer held in the Jedi's arms. He was older now, around ten, maybe eleven, again he wasn't sure how he knew this, but he did. He scanned his surroundings, he recognised this place, he was in the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, specifically the temple's grand library. He looked around, dozens of people stood in the higher tier of the archives, perhaps hundred, all staring down at him, why? He felt something heavy in his right hand and looked down, he was holding a lightsaber. Then it hit him. Of course! The tournament! He was in the final round of the Apprentice Tournaments; the council had chosen the lower sections of the library as the battleground for the final free-for-all between the upper class. He had already faced down four other younglings, burning them quick and moving on, now only him and two other students remained.
"Keedo! Come on, you can't keep hiding forever!" He called out. He knew the Thisspiasian was hiding somewhere in the powered down data stacks.
All contestants were required to set their sabers to low power mode, in their current state they couldn't even break skin much less sever a limb.. Still, the burns and welts they gave were nothing to scoff at, and it seemed his serpentine friend was in no hurry to taste the blade of his saber again. He stepped around the corner slowly, the blue blade of his lightsaber illuminating a dark corner as he held the blade high, gripping the Chromium hilt with two hands, Keedo was a quick one, despite his already impressive size and length, he knew exactly how to use his species serpentine body to his advantage. Luckily, Robb was stronger, he had scored two burns against the sneaky little snake already, and it seemed his fellow Youngling was playing it safe. Playing it boring, more like. This was the Tournament! Almost every Master and Knight would be watching them, judging them to see who would make for the best Padawan, if there was any time for a little showmanship it was now.
A twinge in the back of Robbs mind caused him to straighten up "Got you" He whispered to himself. He spun around just in time to lock blades with the Thisspiasian, who had coiled himself around a nearby pillar and waited for Robb to get close enough to pounce. His nervousness had gotten the better of him however, and that spark of self doubt was all Robb needed to sense his presence. "Better luck next time, Kee" He said, grinning at his friend as the two pushed each other back.
"Don't get cocky, Robb" Keedo said, coiling his tail closer to his body. "It not over yet"
Robb's only reply was a smirk. Then he charged, his lightsaber held high. He fainted, shifting his downward strike into a fierce upwards slash at the last moment, playing Keedo's nervousness against him as the Thisspiasian fell for his trap, holding his own blade high, aiming to block a strike that never came. Keedo cried out in pain as Robb's blade collided with the base of his torso, where his tail began.
"Keedo Casparian, you have been eliminated!" The voice of Master Cin Drallig, who was supervising the tournament, boomed across the library.
"Like I said, Kee" Robb smiled, giving the dejected serpent a friendly pant on the shoulder, though he couldn't quite keep the smug grinning off his face "Better luck next time"
"Yeah, yeah" Keedo said, shrugging off his friend's hand as he deactivated his own lightsaber. A small streak of smoke billowed off of the patch of scales that Robb had just struck. "I wouldn't get too cocky, Robb. After all, only you and Vez now"
Robbs eyes lit up at the mention of his long time rival, he had hoped she would make it this far. "Really, just me and Vez?! You're sure?" Keedo opened his mouth to answer, but was cut off by an echoing shout.
"Calden!" A refined feminine voice cried out. "Calden! Come on, let's end this already!"
Robb grinned ear to ear and ran out from between the data stacks, out into a wide open hall that ran through the centre of the library. He could see there, already waiting for him. Vezyu Modoa was a young Mirialan girl, made clear by her green skin and geometric facial tattoos that ran down her chin and under her almond shaped brown eyes. Robb knew she had black hair, though she almost always kept it covered under the hood of her black robes. She was shorter than Robb, despite that both of them were the same age, but she was already toned with lean muscles that denoted her flexibility and athleticism. In truth, she was the only one in their class that could truly keep up with him.
"Bout time you showed up" He said to her, grinning. "So, what are you at?"
She just stared at him for a moment, her arms crossed over her chest, before finally rolling her eyes "Do you always try and one up me? It can't be enough that you made it this far?" She asked. Robb just stared at her, his signature shit eating smirk still plastered on his face. Finally, with a heavy sigh she relented "Four"
"Mmmm, very impressive… Of course, I am sitting rather comfortably at five"
"Well" Vez huffed, igniting both of her green dual lightsabers "I suppose it's a good thing this is the only fight that matters"
"Couldn't have put it better myself" Robb smirked, igniting his own blue blade, holding the hilt in a reverse grip, his free hand outstretched palm first as he took the wide stance of the Shien variant of form V.
The two younglings circled each other, each waiting on the other to make the first move. Vez was the first to act, leaping high into the air with the aid of the Force, her lightsabers held high above her head. She had always been keen on Ataru, finding her natural flexibility played well into the forms fast paced and aggressive style, at least that was what she had told him. Robb swung his lightsaber upwards, blocking both of Vez's blades as she brought them down and sending the Mirilian sliding backwards. It was his turn to charge now. He spun the saber in his grip, now holding the hilt with both hands and burst forward into a sprint, using the momentum of his previous strike to his advantage. He roared as he brought his lightsaber down, aiming for Vez's head. She blocked at the last moment, crossing both of her lightsaber blades just in time to catch Robb's between them. The two gritted their teeth as they struggled against each other's strength, suddenly, Vez twisted her body, once again using her natural flexibility to her advantage as she broke the lock.
Robb stumbled forward as Vez slipped free. He felt her try to leap backwards, no doubt trying to gain some distance between the two of them. He swung his saber back and grinned as he heard Vez bite back a yelp of pain. Spinning around he saw he had managed to catch her wrist with his strike "Thats one" He gloated, his grin still plastered on his face.
Vez growled and murmured something under her breath as she began to circle him again. Robb always knew how to best get under her skin. "Good, that'll make her sloppy" He thought to himself.
Vez sprinted forward, lightsabers poised to strike at Robb. He swung to meet her, but at the last possible moment she dropped to the floor, sliding along the smooth ground of the Archives. Robb felt searing pain jolting up his leg as she slammed one of her lightsabers into his shin, then in one fluid motion she twisted onto one knee and struck him again, this time on his tailbone.
He tried to swing backwards again, to even the score, but Vez was too fast. Using the force, she pushed herself backwards, skidding on one knee across the Archives polish floor. "That hurt!" He called after her, his tailbone almost stinging as much as his pride.
"That… Is two" Vez said back, giving Robb a wink as she raised her lightsabers again.
The two fought hard, striking, blocking and parrying. It felt like they had been fighting for hours, every muscle in Robb's body screamed from exhaustion. But he wasn't alone, he could hear Vez breathing heavily now. Neither of them were experts in their respective lightsaber forms, hell, in truth they both hadn't learnt much past the most basic aspects and techniques of their chosen forms. And it seemed Vez was learning Ataru's greatest weakness, prolonged combat. She leapt through the air at him again, but this time Robb was ready, he twisted his lightsaber into a reverse grip, once again taking the Shien stance, and with all the strength his aching arms could muster he struck. His blade hit Vez in her gut with enough force that if this had been a real fight she would have doubtlessly been split in two, instead she was spared that grizzly end and was instead sent flying backwards. She skidded across the ground, her lightsabers sent clattering to either side of her as she clutched her burnt stomach and gasped for air.
This was it, one last hit and he would win! Feeling the rush of a victory close at hand, Robb leapt into the air, the brilliant blue blade of his lightsaber held high as he prepared to deliver the final blow of the tournament.
The world seemed to slow as he looked down at Vez, seeing too late what she had led him into. Her arms were outstretched and her eyes were closed. Both of her lightsabers flew through the air and into her hands, she slammed down their ignition and brought the emerald green blades to life. Robb was too far into his attack to change course, yet not close enough to strike true. "No…" He managed to whisper before both of Vez's blades slammed into his side. White hot pain burnt up his body as he was knocked to the side and sent sliding into one of the powered down data stacks.
"Robbant Calden!" Boomed Master Drallig's voice "You have been eliminated. The winner is Vezyu Modoa!"
The crowd that had gathered erupted into cheers, their fellow younglings in particular were going wild, clapping and whooping as Vez rose to her feet and gave a few waves to the crowd.
"Here" She said, offering her hand to the still prone Robb. He looked up at her, his cheeks burning red with embarrassment as he listened to the crowd cheer her. He had been so close! So close to showing everyone in the temple what he was truly capable of, only to have it torn away from him… And now the one responsible had the gall to pity him.
"I'm fine!" He snapped, slapping her hand away before scrambling to his feet "Congratulations" He huffed, strapping his lightsaber onto his belt. He lowered his head, trying to hide the tears that pricked at his eyes. Without saying another word, he shouldered past Vez and hurried away from the Archives, too ashamed to look back.
The scene before Robbs eyes changed again, this time to little more than a week later. He was in the Archives again, this time sat at one of the library's many terminals, reading through thesis on form V. The burns Vez had dealt him had turned into sore welts now, he could feel them tingle and itch beneath his cream tunic. He hadn't spoken to Vez since the tournament, he knew that was, that jealousy and bitterness were not the Jedi way, that he should be proud of his friend for her performance. Yet couldn't help it, the wounds to his pride were still far too fresh. It's not like Vez would have much time for him now anyway, Master Windu had taken her on as an apprentice… Yet another insult.
"Form V: The Form of Perseverance '' The voice pulled Robb from his own thoughts. He turned in his seat to face its source and was greeted by the sight of a tall, red skinned male Togruta dressed in dark brown robes that flowed to the floor, judging by the height and length of his Montrals and Lekku, Robb guessed he was around middle aged. "A fine tome, though I find Master Voktie's writing style far too prosaic for my taste"
Robb stared up at the Togruta for a moment, unsure as to why he was bothering him. Then it clicked. "Master My!" Robb squeaked, standing up from the terminal he had been sitting at and giving a respectful bow.
Jedi Master Tokra My chuckled at the young man, it was a warm sound that set Robbs mind at ease. "Please, young Calden, don't let me interrupt your studies" He placed a warm hand on Robbs shoulder and gestured for him to take his seat again. "But I have to ask, Master Voktie's works focus on the rudimentaries of form V, why are you reading them?"
Robb bristled at the master's probing questions "Master Drallig says it's always good to remember the basics…"
"Lying to a Master is unbecoming, young Calden. I can sense your frustrations"
Robb turned to face the Togruta master, though he struggled to keep the kindly Torguta's gaze. "... Lost" He said finally.
Master Tokra's gave him a warm smile "You sell yourself short, Robb" He said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder "You performed admirably in the tournament"
"But I didn't win!" Robb snapped back, his frustrations at his wounded pride boiling over. "If I had been a little faster, a little stronger, I would have won!"
"Your speed and your strength were not the cause of your defeat
, young one. It was your brashness, your impatience, your hunger for a swift victory"
"But-"
"No buts." The Togruta master's soft voice turned stern for a moment as he raised his calloused, red hand and cut off Robbs protest. "The Jedi are more than simple warriors, Robbant. We are keepers of the peace, if you truly wish to embody our ideals you must first learn to keep the peace within yourself"
Robb lowered his head in shame. The master's words cut deeply, though he knew they were true. His impatience had cost him dearly, his desire and need to prove he was the best. It was not the Jedi way.
"And I will be the one to teach you how"
Robbs eyes widened and he turned to face Master Tokra once again. The Tortuga's lips curled into a warm smile. Robb could feel his heart soar as the master's, his Master's words sank in. A smile of pure joy spread across his young features as he looked up into Tokra green eyes. He wanted to throw himself at the man, wrap his arms around him and thank him for giving him this opportunity. Instead he simple rose to feet and bowed "I won't let you down, master"
Years passed in what felt like minutes, each hard earned lesson, each struggle and each bittersweet memory Robbant had with Master Tokra, from facing down Nikto pirates in the Outer Rim to foiling a spice smuggling ring on Coruscant. From escorting fresh younglings to the temple, with their wonder struck eyes staring up at him in awe, to their final conversation the day his master left for Geonosis, when he forbade Robb from joining him. "Despite all of my teaching, you still cling onto your reckless passions, my Padawan… Perhaps that is my fault, for indulging you for so long. I will not see you lost to them now. You are not ready for real war" He had told him, the words felt like a blade through his heart, now more so than before. Because Robb knew what came next.
He looked out across the rows of wounded and dying that had returned from those first waves of Jedi sent to Geonosis. A chill ran down his spine as he searched, somehow already knowing what he would find. And yet, even with that knowledge, when he saw him there, layed upon a hoverkart, blood caking his tunic and one of his Lekku torn off. It was like a dagger of ice being plunged into his heart… again.
"No" He whispered, his hands balled into fist and tears pricking at his eyes "No!"
The sun beared down on him, scorching rays of unforgiving heat that seeked to sap what little energy he had left. But he didn't care, the adrenaline coursing through his body more than made up the difference. His lightsaber felt weightless in his hands as he held it high, deflecting blaster shot back at the mass of battle droids and Genonisian that had ambushed him and his men.
"Commander! The gruff voice of his clone subordinate called out to his side "They have a tank!"
An explosion almost threw him off his feet as the AAT fired directly into their patrol's sole AT-TE, its cabin erupted into flame and for a moment he could hear the screams of the clone driver before the vehicle's detonation silenced him.
He looked to the side and saw his clone commander, Thatcher he had called himself, slump to the ground, a smoking hole in his chest where a Genoisian blaster bolt had struck true. They were closing in, dozens of them, far more than what was left of his meagre patrol could take.
"This is it." he thought to himself. This was where he was going to die, his master was right, he wasn't ready for war. Master Tokra… Was this how he died? Cornered like an animal, surrounded by the dead and dying… afraid?
"No." Robb snarled. He would not die like this, he would not let these filthy, murderous creature end another Jedi. The fog of fear that had clouded his thoughts faded and was replaced by a burning fury, an all consuming fire of hatred at those that had taken from him his master, his men and now had the audacity to try and take more. Without another word, he reached out his hand…
Robbants screamed, his eyes shooting open. He was surrounded by blackness, a cold and hungry dark. He reached for his lightsaber and tore it from his belt. He slammed the ignition, the weapon's brilliant blue blade blaring to life and illuminating his surroundings. He was back. Back in his room, back on Coruscant, back in the temple. He ran to his bathroom, flicking on the light and stared at himself in the mirror. The figure that stared back was a young man of twenty two years of age, with sun kissed skin and honey gold eyes. A Padawan braid hanging from his obsidian black hair.
"W-what was that?" He whispered to himself "A v-vision? A dream?" He had just experienced his whole life a second time, his hands trembled and only now did he realise his lightsaber was still active.
He deactivated the blade and reattached the blade to his belt. Could that have been because of… what he used?
A sudden knock at his door caused him to jump "O-one second!" He called out.
He splashed some water onto his face, hoping that it would help mask the cold fear that still chilled his spine. He opened his window shutter as he passed, letting the early morning sun shine into the room and chase away the dark. Sliding open the door he was greeted by the imposing figure of Master Ki-Adi Mundi.
"Master Mundi?" Robb said "Apologies, I was… meditating"
The Cerean master cocked an eyebrow at the heavily breathing Padawan, but asked no questions. Something Robb was very thankful for.
"The council is ready for you, young Calden." Master Mundi said, turning on his heels. "Please follow me"
Robb gave the Cerean a weak smile and did as he asked. The two of them made their way through the temple, climbing the steps to the High Council chamber, where the rest of the Jedi Council waited on them.
"Padawn Robbant, welcome" Master Mace Windu said.
"Masters" Robb replied, giving each of the gathered Masters a respectful nod.
"Know why we brought you here, do you?" Master Yoda asked, looking over Robb inquisitively.
Robb swallowed hard. "I… have a few ideas, my Masters"
"You endured great struggles on Geonosis, my boy" Master Plo Koon said "Struggles that many of our order did not survive".
"It is for that reason, as well as the courage and skill you showed during the occupation of that world, that this council, after much debate, has decided to grant you the rank of Knight" Master Eeth Koth said.
Robb fell to his knees and lowered his head "Thank you, my master" He said. As Master Koth approached him and removed his Padawan braid. He had expected more ceremony to be honest, though in his current state of mind, he was glad he wouldn't have to linger here longer.
"To the Gravlax system you will go" Master Yoda said "Reunite with the 964th Clone Battalion. Lead them, you will."
"Yes, my master" Robb said, rising to his feet " I will leave immediately".
He turned on his heels and left the council chamber. He could feel his heart racing in his chest, he had wanted this for so long, and now that he had achieved his dream… It tasted bitter. All he could think about was his vision, his dream, his memories. And he hoped that whatever was waiting for him on Gravlax would not bring him closer to that darkness.
A/N: Alright folks, here is the first official chapter of A Galaxy Aflame. I'll be honest with you all, I'm not too sure on how it turned out (The ending in particular i'm not a big fan and may change) I wanted this have Robbant's introduction be a series of flashback and memories and just hope that it worked the way I intended it to. A big shout out to Rougeification for sending in Robbant btw, I hope you approve of how I am writing him so far. The next chapter will likely not be as long as this, and should be up in a week or at most two weeks, depending on my irl schedule.
Clone and Non Force user submissions are still open, as well as one more Dark Acolyte spot, so yeah, if you want to send in any of those, feel free.
Drop a review if you can, I'd love to hear what y'all thought (No flames please, i'm a soft soul lol)
And one more thing, I have an idea for another syoc set in the 40k universe that would follow a six man Deathwatch kill team. Would that be something any of you would be interested in?
Anyways, enough rambling from me! See you all next time, and have a great day! xoxo